HC Deb 12 December 2001 vol 376 cc863-4W
Mr. Michael Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what level of Government financial assistance is paid to manufacturing industries in(a) Worcestershire and (b) Herefordshire. [20655]

Alan Johnson

Businesses in Worcestershire and Herefordshire can be eligible for assistance under the smart scheme as follows:

  • All SMEs (fewer than 250 employees)
    • Exceptional Projects—up to 30 per cent. of eligible project costs to a maximum of £450,000.
    • Development Projects—30 per cent. of eligible project costs to a maximum of £150,000.
    • Technology Reviews—up to a maximum of £2,500.
    • Technology Studies—up to a maximum of £5,000.
  • Small Enterprises (fewer than 50 employees)
    • Feasibility Studies—75 per cent. of eligible project costs to a maximum of £45,000.
  • Small Enterprises (fewer than 10 employees)
    • Micro Projects—50 per cent. of eligible project costs up to a maximum of £10,000.

SME businesses in certain local authority wards in Herefordshire and Worcestershire may be eligible under the enterprise grant scheme for grants of up to £75,000 or 15 per cent. of eligible project costs for projects involving fixed capital expenditure of up to £500,000.

Herefordshire Backbury; Bateman; Berrington; Bircher; Border; Bringsty; Broad Oak; Bromyard; Burghill; Burmarsh; Butterley; Castle; Cradley; Creden Hill; Dinmore Hill; Doward; Eardisley; Fownhope; Frome; Frome Vale; Garron; Golden Cross; Golden Valley; Gorsley; Hagley; Hampton Court; Harewood End; Hatfield; Hegdon; Hergest; Hollington; Hope End; Kingsland; Kingsthorne; Kington Town; Leadon Vale; Ledbury; Ledbury Ward (DET NO1); Leintwardine; Leominster North; Leominster East; Leominster South; Lyonshall with Titley; Mansel; Marcie Ridge; Merbach; Mortimer; Olchon; Old Gore; Pembridge; Penyard; Pontrilas; Pyons with Birley; Ross-on-Wye East; Ross-on-Wye West; Stoney Street; Thinghill; Tram Inn; Upton; Walford; Weobley; Whitfield; Wilton; Wye.

Worcestershire Bayton and Mamble; Cofton Hackett; Kyre Vale; Lindridge; Martley; Temeside; Tenbury Town; Uffdown; Vale of the Teme.

In addition, businesses in the wards of Cofton Hackett and Uffdown in Worcestershire may be eligible under the regional selective assistance scheme for grants of up to 20 per cent. of eligible project costs for projects involving eligible costs of more than £500,000. The minimum level of grant is £75,000. SMEs may be eligible for a supplement to the 20 per cent. aid ceiling.

Since 1 April 2000 to date grant has been paid to businesses in Herefordshire and Worcestershire as follows:

£
Smart 657,000
Enterprise grant 32,000
RSA 232,000