HC Deb 14 January 1986 vol 89 cc549-50W
Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Paymaster General how many people have been assisted by the work on own account scheme in each of the last five years for which figures are available; what was the cost of the scheme in each year; if he will provide details of the assistance given in each individual case in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The number of people helped in the last five years and the total cost of the business on own account scheme in each of those years was:

Beneficiaries Expenditure£
1980–81 11 9,906
1981–82 13 19,762
1982–83 7 24,085
1983–84 13 34,568
1984–85 7 26,272

Details of the grants awarded, but not necessarily paid, in 1984£85 are as follows: £1,700 for piano tuning. £6,000 for word processing and office services. £6,700 for picture framing. £4,000 for music composition. £5,180 for car sales and valeting. £6,000 for saddlery. £5,000 for electronics repairs.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Paymaster General if he will provide details of the work on own account scheme and the eligibility criteria for the scheme.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The business on own account scheme is intended to help certain very severely disabled people who have no other means of obtaining employment to set up their own businesses. It provides assistance in cases where other schemes, such as The enterprise allowance scheme, are not appropriate or do not make adequate financial provision. The scheme is administered by the Manpower Services Commission.

Assistance under the scheme is given in the form of a single grant towards the cost of the tools, equipment, premises alterations and so on necessary to start up a business. MSC's disablement resettlement officers can advise potential applicants as to their eligibility, the criteria for which are:

  1. (i) the applicant must be severely disabled and classified as section II disabled according to the registration scheme set up under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944;
  2. (ii) the applicant must be considered capable of running the business;
  3. (iii) the proposed business should be well thought out and considered to be viable;
  4. (iv) the business must be a last resort, that is all other avenues of resettlement into open and sheltered employment must have been explored.