§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many Business Link partnerships there are; how many have closed in each year since 1999; and if she will make a statement. [91649]
§ Nigel GriffithsThere are 43 Business Link Operator partnerships covering 45 areas across England.
In April 2001, the network of Business Link Operators partnerships was rationalised from 80 to 43 in order to improve customer focus and divert more resources to front line services for SMEs.
Contractual arrangements remain in place with all Business Link Operators awarded contracts in April 2001.