HC Deb 10 November 2003 vol 413 cc20-1W
Brian Cotter

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many business support schemes are in existence; and if she will list the schemes that have been closed down by her Department since November 2002. [135900]

Ms Hewitt

[holding answer 3 November 2003]The DTI funds 52 schemes that are currently open to new business. In addition two other schemes, the Broadband Fund and the Regional Innovation Fund have had funding provision re-allocated from DTI to the Regional Development Agencies. The Department is in the process of closing all schemes in order to replace them with 10 business support products by April 2004.

Since 30 November 2002, 39 schemes have closed to new business. Eight of these schemes have closed down completely and 31 have closed to new business but have a tail of activities to which the department has made legal commitments.

Schemes that have closed down completely

  • Partnership in Plastics Programme
  • Waste Management Resources
  • Partners in Innovation Fast Track
  • Financial Advisory Service
  • Business Incubation Service
  • Coal Operating Aid
  • Manufacturing in IST
  • Corn-met

Schemes that have closed to new business but have successor schemes or a tail of activities to which the department has made legal commitments

  • Acorn
  • Work-Life Balance
  • Genetic Knowledge Parks
  • Automotive College
  • Smart
  • Teaching Company Scheme
  • ITEC Skills
  • Partners in Innovation
  • Partnership for Process Competitiveness Chemicals
  • Biotechnology Exploitation Programme
  • Recycling Programme
  • Biotechnology Mentoring
  • Building Research Establishment Framework
  • Manufacturing for Bio-technology
  • Bio-wise
  • Building up Bio-materials
  • Local Partnership Fund
  • s@tcom Programme
  • MOSAIC
  • Service Mission Support
  • NEWTON (New Observing Technologies)
  • GIFTSS (Government Information for space sector)
  • CPP (Customer Partnership Programme)
  • MEP (Market Entry Programme)
  • ICP2 (International Co-operation Programme)
  • GMES (Global Monitoring for Environmental Security)
  • Electronics Design Programme
  • Digital Broadcasting Test Bed
  • ICT Carrier
  • NESTA Industry Placement Scheme
  • Internet Incubator Fund