Seven local authorities have been chosen to try out a new government business support programme which aims to simplify grant and advice regimes. The local authorities will experiment with the Business Support Simplification Programme and advise civil servants on its national roll out by 2010. Under the regime, the Government will streamline 3,000 publicly-funded schemes – including grants, subsidies and advice – into one national portfolio of up to 100 focused on businesses that can provide greater impact. The simplification plan was first proposed in the 2006 Budget. The aim is to reduce duplication within the grants and advisory system, while allowing businesses to get the support they need to thrive. The seven authorities to trail the scheme include the counties of Cornwall and Lincolnshire, and the London boroughs of Croydon and Newham.