HC Deb 19 January 1994 vol 235 cc691-2W
Sir Ralph Howell

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of new business start-ups in each year since 1979.

Miss Widdecombe

The enterprise allowance scheme—EAS—began in 1982–83. In April 1991, EAS was replaced by the business start-up scheme. The numbers of new business start-ups each year are shown in the table.

Enterprise Allowance/Business Start Up
1982–83 2,500
1983–84 27,600
1984–85 46,000
1985–86 60,000
1986–87 86,800
1987–88 106,300
1988–89 98,500
1989–90 78,000
1990–91 60,000
1991–92 50,000
1992–93 41,000
11993 21,700
1 April–October.