New measure to support small businesses unveiled

Local businesses told the BBC they wanted other forms of help

A new measure to help support small and medium-sized businesses has been unveiled by a government minister.

Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the government would create a board of experts to help firms export their products and grow the economy.

He told BBC South East during a visit to Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex that the Board of Trade would not be filled with "dry academics", but people with "practical experience and brilliant business backgrounds".

However, local record shop owner James Anderson said he would prefer to see financial assistance from the government.

He added the focus should instead be on business rates relief rather than international sales.

Reynolds said the government was "tackling the real issues that businesses are struggling with".