HC Deb 02 February 1988 vol 126 c551W
38. Mr. Tim Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the cost of the enterprise allowance scheme in the current year; and how many individuals are participating in it.

Mr. Cope

The estimated cost of the enterprise allowance scheme is £208.1 million for the financial year 1987–88. This includes £8.8 million in running costs. Currently there are 96,000 participants on the scheme.

104. Mr. Cran

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a further statement on the payment of the enterprise allowance scheme.

Mr. Cope

The computerised payment system for the enterprise allowance scheme currently pays the allowance to 96,000 participants. Since the beginning of the scheme the system has satisfactorily paid the allowance to over 315,000 unemployed people who have started up their own business.