Business Secretary, Vince Cable has launched a consultation into raising finance for private sector investment.

The new paper, entitled ‘Financing a private sector recovery’, looks at a range of issues surrounding access to capital.  In particular, it raises concerns that small businesses are unable to access funds as investors look higher up the economic ladder. 

ACE recommended to the Government in March this year that they explore re-establishing regional stock exchanges. 

The proposal was highlighted several times throughout the consultation.  

The paper seeks views on whether regional stock exchanges could boost investment and help to overcome regional economic disparities.  It also ponders whether there are barriers to listing with exchange-regulated markets that particularly hinder small companies. 

There are a range of other proposals highlighted in the consultation.  

ACE welcomes this paper and the fact that regional stock exchanges are now firmly in the Government’s sights. 

We look forward to engaging with this and helping to find solutions that work.