§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on his new enterprise training scheme Headstart, detailing the number of people likely to benefit, and the job opportunities.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI announced the inner cities "Headstart" scheme on 28 July. The scheme will build on the work of the Industrial Society in training young people in enterprise and business skills training and providing ongoing support for potential young entrepreneurs in six inner city areas. Courses are planned to start shortly and around 3,000 young people will be given initial advice and information on self-employment. It is too early to say how many will find employment as a result, but the record to date of Industrial Society enterprise training has been good.
§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Paymaster General how much money is being invested in the Headstart scheme; and how much is expected to be received from project sponsors.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeMy Department and the Manpower Services Commission are contributing £319,470 in total in 1986–87 to the headstart inner cities scheme. I understand the Industrial Society estimates the total cost at around £750,000 with the balance met by private sector project sponsors.
§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Paymaster General how many young people are likely to benefit from the Headstart scheme within the city of Leicester; and if he will detail the response received and the ultimate likely benefits.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe inner cities headstart scheme aims to help around 3,000 young people with initial information and advice on self-employment. I would expect around 500 of these to be from Leicester. The scheme has been welcomed locally. While it is too early to say what the ultimate likely benefits would be, I would expect them to reflect the Industrial Society's successful record in enterprise training.