Entrepreneurs needed to drive UK recovery, says Cameron

At the launch of a business-backed campaign to encourage more company start-ups, the Prime Minister insisted now was the time for anybody with an innovative idea to take the plunge.

“The recovery we need has got to be a private sector-led recovery, a recovery with Made in Britain stamped all over it,” he told business leaders and young entrepreneurs at the Microsoft headquarters in central London.

“Those who argue we just need to pump more money in just don’t get it – we don’t have any, and even if we did it would mean business hit by higher interest rates, higher taxes down the line, and that is the opposite of what we need.

“We need to set business free to drive our economy forward, not burden business with more taxes or hold our economy back.”

Mr Cameron said the new Start Up Britain initiative launched yesterday was “unbelievably important” for the UK economy.

He insisted last week’s Budget, with help for business, showed the Government was getting behind start-ups.

He said the still fragile economy needed thousands of would- be entrepreneurs to take the plunge.

“So I want to make a direct appeal to everyone who’s sitting at home or at their desk thinking about starting their own business. Now is the time to do it,” he said.

“If you’ve been turning over a good idea for years, now is the time to make something of it.

“If you’re working for a big firm but know you could do a better job on your own, now is the time to make the leap.

“If you’re dreaming about starting up the next great British brand, now is the time to make it happen.”

He added: “Seize this moment, take these opportunities, make it happen – and together we can drive our economy forward.”

Start Up Britain – which is privately-led but backed by the Government – is meant to be a champion for new entrepreneurs and is supported by 60 leading companies. Firms including Barclays, Microsoft, McKinsey and Co and Virgin Media have pledged benefits and services worth more than £1,500 to each start-up.

The launch of the initiative was attended by business figures including Dragon’s Den stars Peter Jones and Duncan Bannatyne, as well as Chancellor George Osborne and Business Secretary Vince Cable.

Mr Jones called for a new emphasis on “the British Dream” to rival the American Dream.