§ Lord Inglewoodasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they can explain the low level of participation by private sector small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in projects funded by the European Regional Development Fund in northwest England; whether the same trend is observable in other regions; and whether there are any specific plans to increase private sector SME participation. [HL692]
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleI am not aware that participation in European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) projects by SMEs in the North West of England compares unfavourably with other regions.
The North West Action for Competitiveness plan, prepared in partnership with key public and private sector agencies across the region, was the basis for the use of the ERDF in Structural Funds programmes. These programmes were substantially fully committed, and aggregated outputs suggest that the expected level of SME support will be realised.
New Structural Funds programmes for 2000–06 are now being prepared by regional partnerships and support for SMEs will be a priority.