HC Deb 20 July 2001 vol 372 c592W
Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how EU structural funding has helped over 50,000 small and medium sized enterprises, according to her Department's document, "Your Britain, Your Europe, Your North West". [4326]

Alan Johnson

[holding answer 19 July 2001]: EU Objective 1 and 2 funding in the north-west region for 2000 to 2006 totals £1.33 billion. Of this, £499 million is specifically for business support. This support is delivered principally through the Small Business Service (SBS). The SBS works with a range of other recognised business support agencies throughout the region to deliver business advice, training for employees, provision of accommodation and provision of finance to enable growth.