§ Judy MallaberTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Amber Valley constituency, the effects on Amber Valley of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [157135]
§ Mr. CabornThe constituency of Amber Valley has benefited from a range of initiatives since May 1997 including:
Regional Selective Assistance
A discretionary grant which provides assistance towards capital projects which would not otherwise go ahead and will create or safeguard employment in an Assisted Area. Grant totalling £3,405,000 has been offered to 10 companies supporting total capital expenditure of £19,126,000 with the aim of safeguarding 559 existing full time jobs and creating in excess of 160 new full time jobs.
305WSmart
Discretionary grant available to SMEs to help them develop technologically innovative products and processes. Grant totalling £643,819 has been offered to nine projects supporting total project costs in excess of £1,822,000.
Enterprise Grant
A new discretionary grant introduced in 2000. Provides support to SMEs investing in capital projects which would not otherwise go ahead. Grant totalling £286,389 has been offered to eight businesses supporting project costs in excess of £2,258,000.
Business Link
The Business Link network provides a wide range of business advice and support to SMEs. It is not possible to accurately isolate Business Link data for the Amber Valley constituency area. However, from 1997 to date, Business Link South Derbyshire, which includes the Amber Valley constituency, has helped a total of 2005 businesses and assisted 668 business start ups.