HC Deb 08 December 2003 vol 415 c252W
Dr. Kumar

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many businesses, and of what type, have received assistance in starting-up from government schemes and initiatives in each year from 2001 to 2003(a) in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, (b) in Teesside and (c) nationally. [141862]

Nigel Griffiths

As well as a range of advice and support from consultants, the Business Link Organisation for Tees Valley makes assistance available specifically for start up businesses through its "Start Right in Business" scheme. The statistics in the table show the numbers of start up businesses supported by this scheme in Tees Valley as a whole, and the closest available match to the geographic analysis requested. Data on business type is not readily available.

Period Tees Valley Middlesbrough Redcar &

Cleveland

2001 635 178 139
2002 620 114 146
20031 526 154 98
1 To date

The Small Business Service administers Enterprise Grants (EG) for small and medium sized enterprises, including start-up businesses. These give support to capital investment for manufacturing and service to manufacturing companies. The following table shows the totals for businesses assisted. A number are known to be start ups thought specific information on all start up businesses and their business sector is not readily available.

Period Tees Valley Middlesbrough South

and East Cleveland

2001 25 1
2002 21 1
20031 15 2
1 To date

More than 480 EG offers have been made in the North East from 1 January 2000 to date, while nationwide 1,908 EG offers have been made between 1 April 2000 and 30 September 2003.