HC Deb 08 March 1988 vol 129 c117W
Mr. Andy Stewart

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to change the local enterprise agency grant scheme.

Mr. Cope

The local enterprise agency grant scheme (LEAGS) was introduced as a five-year pump-priming scheme to develop a network of viable enterprise agencies (LEAs) led and supported by the private sector. There are no plans to extend the scheme or alter its basic structure. However, it remains our intention that a network of viable agencies should be created which will continue with private sector support.

Following the announcement of Government plans in respect of the inner cities and representations from business in the community and several enterprise agencies, some modifications to the scheme will come into effect on 1 April 1988.

The changes are:

  1. (i) The income ceiling up to which LEAs are eligible for LEAGS will be raised to £100,000 pa and will remain at this level for the remaining three years of the scheme:
  2. (ii) During the year of a merger, newly merged LEAs will be allowed an income ceiling of £150,000 and will be able to receive up to 50 per cent. additional grant—for that one year only.