Enterprise Allowance Scheme

HC Deb 17 April 1986 vol 95 cc490-1W

Mr. Pike

asked the Paymaster General how many of those in receipt of the enterprise allowance remained in employment or gainful self-employment at the expiry of the period of award of the allowance, by region, for the latest date for which figures are available.

Mr. Trippier

Of the 4,367 people who joined the enterprise allowance scheme in March 1985 the following percentages by region were still trading in their EAS business at the end of their allowance period in March 1986.

Region	Per cent.
London	88.8
South West	91.8
South East	88.8
Midlands	89.1
North West	89.3
Yorkshire and Humberside	89.2
Scotland	89.8
Wales	89.5
Northern	90.8
Great Britain	89.5

Survey evidence has shown that about one quarter of those who leave their EAS business immediately go into employment or other forms of self employment and that within two years of leaving their EAS business 55 per cent. of people are either employed or self employed in a different venture.