HC Deb 18 February 1986 vol 92 c143W
49. Mr. Woodcock

asked the Paymaster General how many businesses have been set up under the enterprise allowance scheme so far.

Mr. Trippier

Up to 31 December 1985, the latest date for which figures are available, 120,937 people have joined the enterprise allowance scheme. The number of individual businesses is lower than this because some of the businesses are partnerships, co-operatives or limited companies involving more than one enterprise allowance recipient.

Mr. Hirst

asked the Paymaster General how many places have been created under the enterprise allowance scheme; at what cost to his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Trippier

At 31 December 1985, the latest date for which figures are available, 120,937 people had joined the enterprise allowance scheme; expenditure up to that date was £180.271 million. There will be 80,000 places available on the scheme in 1986–87.

62. Mr. Fallon

asked the Paymaster General how many people have benefited from the enterprise allowance scheme in the northern region.

Mr. Trippier

The total number of entrants to the enterprise allowance scheme in the Northern Region between 1 August 1983, when the scheme was launched nationally, and 31 December 1985, the latest available date for which figures are available, is 6,543.

106. Mr. Trotter

asked the Paymaster General if he will make more training available to enterprise allowance scheme applicants.

Mr. Trippier

Both private and public sector training, including the full range of provision under the Manpower Services Commission's training of enterprise programme, is available to applicants. The Manpower Services Commission was asked to take particular account of enterprise allowance scheme participants in refocusing its adult training more sharply on the needs of small firms and on promoting enterprise and self-employment. We are currently looking at ways of encouraging more participants on the scheme to take up the training opportunities available.