§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial assistance the Government have provided to small businesses to assist them in preparing for(a) the euro and (b) the millennium bug. [66024]
§ Mr. Wills[holding answer 18 January 1999]: The Government funded a major campaign to raise awareness among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of the implications of the euro and encourage them to send for the Treasury's euro preparation factsheets. This campaign is also supported by a website and practical support for 12 regional euro forums, Business Links and other sources of advice for SMEs. No direct financial assistance to help firms prepare for the euro has, however, been made available.
My Department set up Action 2000 which has a budget of £19.3 million to lead the work on behalf of Government in ensuring that small businesses are aware of, and obtain help in, dealing with the millennium bug. Action 2000 is working regionally with Business Links and other business support organisations to deliver practical advice and guidance to SMEs, signposting local 26W services and consultants. Since last June, there have been some 170,000 requests for the Action Pack published by Action 2000 and 150,000 calls to its Action Line.
The Government have made £26 million available to help small and medium enterprises train their staff to tackle the date change problem. Employers with 250 employees or fewer are eligible for 100 per cent. grants for sending existing staff or new recruits on short courses in skills related to dealing with the millennium bug. Courses are provided by the training organisations who have been accredited for the programme by the IT National Training Organisation.