Lord Oramasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to empower Jobcentres to give advice to people wishing to set up small businesses; when they expect such facilities to be available; and how many new staff will need to be recruited to provide this facility.
§ Lord Young of GraffhamJobcentres already provide basic information to people wishing to set up small businesses and refer detailed inquiries to agencies specifically geared up to give comprehensive advice, particularly the Small Firms Service and Local Enterprise Agencies. In addition, Jobcentres play a key part in the success of the Enterprise Allowance Scheme, over a third of EAS participants first hear about the scheme in Jobcentres.
The employment service is continually examining ways of improving the support Jobcentres give to enterprise within existing resources.