HC Deb 07 July 1988 vol 136 cc684-5W
Mr. Butler

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

Mr. Cope

The enterprise allowance scheme has been a great success. Since the scheme began in 1982, over 350,000 unemployed people have been helped to start their own businesses. These people have created viable small businesses that have secured a future for themselves and in many cases have created jobs for others. Recent surveys show that of those who complete a full year on the scheme, 65 per cent. are still trading three years after start-up. At this point 114 additional jobs have been created for every 100 businesses still trading.