The Maple Review – an independent Government-backed Review – is calling for the introduction of a National Public-Private Partnership-backed Business Skills Guarantee for secondary schools and the creation of a National Micro-Capital System for asset-poor founders.
Following a year-long inquiry, drawing on national survey of more than 600 entrepreneurs from backgrounds of poverty, spearheaded by Small Business Britain and supported by small business platform Xero, the Maple Review highlights the opportunities entrepreneurship can provide as a powerful mechanism for social mobility for the 14.3 million people currently living in poverty in the UK, offering greater stability, dignity and control over working lives.
The report concluded that existing support and information systems are falling short and fail to reflect the fears of instability and lack of safety nets experienced by this demographic.
The review is issuing eight recommendations for central and local government, financial institutions, and business support organisations to help build a more inclusive economy.
These include establishing micro-loans as core economic infrastructure and ensuring every young person has access to business skills, entrepreneurial role models and pathways before leaving education. Alongside, redesigning self-employment rules to combat unsustainable risks, better financial education, confidence and mentoring, and ensuring all founders have access to digital tools to support wider economic infrastructure.
The review also identifies a key barrier to entrepreneurship is early life entrepreneurial skills where a lack of role models or training leaves prospective entrepreneurs without the skills they need to start and grow a business. A universal provision to school age young people delivered through a national framework will ensure that every person gets access to the support, regardless of location, background, or local support infrastructure, it says.
In its research, The Maple Review – drawing on a national survey, focus groups across the UK, and a comprehensive nationwide call for evidence – identified significant gaps in access to finance for aspiring entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of founders lacked personal savings to invest, while half (50%) did not know how to access finance. Almost half (47%) struggled to secure start-up loans or grants, and the same proportion lacked confidence in taking on debt.
At the same time, small amounts of flexible capital – often between £100 and £5,000 – were repeatedly identified as transformative for helping founders start or stabilise a business, yet difficult to access through mainstream finance options.
One key recommendation from The Maple Review is the introduction of a national micro-capital system, positioning micro-loans as economic infrastructure rather than charity. The Review proposes loans ranging from £100 to £25,000, alongside budgeting, cash flow and forecasting support, to help founders build confidence, reduce risk and progress towards mainstream lending over time.
Michelle Ovens CBE, CEO and founder of Small Business Britain, said:
“Economic deprivation at any point in life is the biggest barrier to starting and growing a business, and that is exactly what The Maple Review is looking to address. At Small Business Britain, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to be an entrepreneur, no matter their background or experience, but it is clear from the Review's data that is currently not the case. The eight recommendations of this Review get right to the heart of this challenge and will have a considerable impact on both addressing poverty and increasing entrepreneurial opportunities in the UK. Not only this, but they will improve outcomes and skills for the whole population, addressing skills, finance, and barriers to other marginalised communities too.”
Kate Hayward, UK Managing Director at Xero, said:
“Too many people with the drive to start a business are still being held back by barriers they should not have to face alone. The Maple Review has shown clearly what needs to change, but the priority now is action. My particular concern is for founders without a financial cushion, where confidence around cash flow is fundamental to survival. At Xero, we want to help open more doors to entrepreneurship and look forward to helping make these recommendations a reality.”
Blair McDougall, Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation, said:
“Entrepreneurship is a powerful driver of growth and social mobility. This review shows that too many with the talent and ambition to succeed are being held back. We now have a shared responsibility to act on these recommendations – as we are doing through our Plan for Small Business – so that starting and growing a business is not a privilege for the few, but an opportunity for all.”
The Maple Review is also backed by a Steering Board of industry and government leaders and experts, including Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation, Blair McDougall, Barclays, BT, Xero, Lloyds Banking Group and The King's Trust.
