HC Deb 09 May 1988 vol 133 c44W
Mr. Steen

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what specific steps he is taking to encourage business expansion and increased employment in the inner cities.

Mr. Alexander

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what action he is taking to increase employment in the inner cities.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Britain's economic success is the key to encouraging business expansion and employment in inner cities. Government action to encourage enterprise and job opportunities in these areas covers a range of programmes and initiatives amounting to some £3,000 million in 1988–89. Specific measures to encourage business expansion include additional support for inner city small firms under the enterprise initiative, extra small firms offices, a major new programme run by English Estates to provide managed workshop space and regional enterprise grants to support innovation and investment for very small firms (under 25 employees) in development areas. Specific employment measures include more MSC and employment service staff working in local communities advising and helping residents, new information points to guide people on training and jobs, new measures to involve employers in training and training projects aimed at specific job opportunities promoted by inner city task forces in co-operation with organisations such as the Industrial Society.