David Cameron has appointed Lord Young to the post of Advisor to the Prime Minister on Enterprise.

The move is intended to help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and the PM has asked Young to produce a "brutally honest report" on the bureaucratic burdens facing entrepreneurs.

The report will look at access to finance, opening up government procurement to SMEs and breaking down barriers to growth.

Cameron said: "I feel very strongly about the need to do everything we can to help and promote SMEs. They provide nearly 60 per cent of our jobs and half of our GDP.

"As I said in my speech to the Confederation of British Industry, enterprise is crucial to our strategy for a new economic dynamism. This government has already taken action to back small businesses. But there is so much more that we need to do to back up our commitment to make this country one of the best in the world to start, run and grow a small business.

"I am seeking nothing less than a wholesale change in attitude from my government and I need help to get there. So I am delighted that Lord Young has agreed to be my enterprise adviser; he'll be working to identify what we need to do to help small businesses grow. He brings his own passion for business and a wealth of experience to the role."

Meanwhile, business minister Mark Prisk has launched a LinkedIn discussion to hear from businesses and entrepreneurs about the barriers holding back their businesses.