The West Midlands is becoming a more entrepreneurial place, according to a senior Government minister.

Minister for Skills and Enterprise Matthew Hancock said the region is seeing more people come forward to set up their own business.

His comments come in the Birmingham Post’s This Is GREAT Birmingham supplement, published today.

He said: “Here in the West Midlands, latest figures available show an increase of almost seven per cent in the number of small businesses since 2010, bringing the total number in the region to 379,000.

“Reflecting the national trend, the number of new businesses registered continues to outstrip the number of firms closing their doors as the economic upturn continues. On the ground, this means that 64,000 private sector jobs have been created in the West Midlands since 2010.

“Most small businesses tell us they are aiming to increase in size and around one fifth of small firms

say they have big ambitions and are determined to grow. For fledgling businesses to survive and then to make sure they thrive in the future, many need support and advice to help them face the particular issues and barriers to the growth they want to achieve.