Better connected for business: Implementation of the EU Services Directive in the UK in 2010
Chair: Craig Belsham, Head of PSC Delivery, Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
Speaker: Martin Greenwood, Director, Socitm Insight Programme

The new legal requirement to provide businesses with online access to information should reduce the red tape involved when dealing with government for new and existing businesses, whether based in the UK or across the rest of the European Union (EU). This is an excellent opportunity for all competent authorities to review the way in which they deal online with the business sector at a time of severe financial restraint. Those who are positive about engaging online with local businesses and with new businesses thinking of coming to their area will surely stand to benefit from greater economic regeneration than those who stand by the wayside through ignorance, or even worse, incompetence.

How then have local authorities and other competent authorities risen to the challenge of the EU Services Directive?