HC Deb 04 December 1987 vol 123 cc768-9W
Mr. Anthony Coombs

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what contribution the enterprise allowance scheme has made to the falls in unemployment and increased self employment since its inception; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Cope

Since the enterprise allowance scheme began in 1982, more than 300,000 unemployed people have been helped to start their own business. During that period the number of self-employed people has risen from 2.2 million to 2.7 million. The scheme has contributed substantially both to the fall in unemployment and the increase in self-employment.

Percentage of Entrants
In the 12 months to: Full-time Male Single Aged Over 25 Years Unemployed for Over 12 Months Former Benefit Claimant1
(i) April 1986 15 78 79 34 57 96
(ii) Julv 1986 14 77 79 35 57 96
(iii) October 1986 13 76 79 36 58 96
(iv) December 1986 13 76 79 37 58 96
(v) April 1987 13 75 79 39 60 96
(vi) July 1987 12 75 78 40 60 96
(vii) October 1987 12 74 76 41 50 97
1 Directly in receipt of an appropriate benefit.