HC Deb 23 October 1986 vol 102 cc941-2W
Mr. Clay

asked the Paymaster General what percentage of businesses using the enterprise allowance scheme in the Northern region have ceased to trade (a) within one year of the commencement of their business and (b) between one and two years from the commencement of their business.

Mr. Trippier

The percentages are:

  1. (a) 13.4 per cent. of those people who joined the scheme in August 1985 had ceased their trading in their EAS business before the end of their year on the allowance (August 1986);
  2. (b) information is not available for the period requested. Completed surveys are on a national basis but a current survey will provide a regional breakdown and results will be available in spring 1987. However, the latest survey results show that of 44 people surveyed in the Northern region who joined the scheme between I March and 30 April 1984 and completed a year in the scheme six had ceased to trade six months after the allowance had stopped. The survey report will be published in November and a copy will be placed in the Library.

Mr. Clay

asked the Paymaster General what percentage of businesses nationally which used the enterprise allowance scheme in its first year of operation. August 1983–84, were still trading in August 1985.

Mr. Trippier

Information is not available for the period requested. However, the latest survey evidence shows that 76 per cent. of participants who joined the schemes between 1 March and 30 April 1984 and completed a year on the scheme were still trading six months after the allowance had stopped. The survey report will be published in November and a copy will be placed in the Library.

Mr. Clay

asked the Paymaster General what percentage of businesses in the Northern region, set up by the 18 to 25 years age group, and which used the enterprise allowance scheme during its first year of operation. August 1983–84, were still trading in August 1986.

Mr. Trippier

This information is not available. Existing survey results are based on a sample of only six people in this age group in the Northern region and no valid conclusion can be based on such a small sample. A survey presently being conducted on those who set up in business 18 months ago will he based on a larger sample. The results of this survey will be available by March 1987.

Mr. Clay

asked the Paymaster General what percentage of businesses in the Northern region which used the enterprise allowance scheme during its first year of operation, August 1983–84, were still trading in August 1986.

Mr. Trippier

Information is not available for the period requested. Completed surveys provide evidence of survival rates nationally; a current survey will provide a regional breakdown and results will be published in spring 1987. However, the latest survey reports show that of the 44 people surveyed in the Northern region who joined the scheme between 1 March and 30 April 1984 and completed a year on the scheme 30 were still trading six months after the allowance had stopped. A copy of the report to be published in November will be placed in the Library.

Mr. Clay

asked the Paymaster General what percentage of businesses using the enterprise allowance scheme nationally have ceased to trade (a) within one year of the commencement of their business and (b) between one and two years from the commencement of their business.

Mr. Trippier

The percentages are:

  1. (a) 11.5 per cent. of those people who joined the scheme in August 1985 had ceased trading in their EAS business before the end of their year on the allowance (August 1986).
  2. (b) Information is not available for the period requested. However, the latest survey results show that of the 781 people surveyed who joined the scheme between 1 March and 30 April 1984 and completed a year on the scheme 188 (24 per cent.) had ceased to trade six months after the allowance had stopped.

Mr. Clay

asked the Paymaster General what percentage of businesses nationally which were established by the 18 to 25 years age group, and which used the enterprise allowance scheme during its first year of operation, August 1983–84, were still trading in August 1986.

Mr. Trippier

Information is not available for the period requested. However, the latest survey results show that of the 86 people between the ages of 18 arid 24 surveyed who joined the scheme between 1 March and 30 April 1984 and completed a year on the scheme 59 were still trading six months after the allowance had stopped. The survey report will be published in November and will be placed in the Library.