§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Chichester constituency, the effects on Chichester of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [155278]
§ Mr. CabornThe Chichester constituency has benefited from a range of initiatives that has been implemented since May 1997.
The Sussex Business Link
The Sussex Business Link, covering the whole of East and West Sussex, receives funding from the Department to assist businesses at all stages of development. The Business Link also has an independent income stream. Initiatives are aimed to reach groups of businesses that have shown a need for a more direct approach. It would not be possible to dis-aggregate the benefit for Chichester and the figures shown are for the whole area covered by the Business Link.
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DTI funding for Business Link £000 1997–98 2,319 1998–99 2,707 1999–2000 3,171 2000–01 13,693 1Includes £152,361 British Trade International funding The Farm Business Advisory service supports farmers to develop and manage their businesses.
The Business Advisory Service gives easy access to a wide range of quality business services, initial business diagnosis, impartial expert advice on business issues, and practical value for money support tailored to the make the most of an individual's potential.
The Export Counselling Service was a scheme initiated in 1997 to aid local businesses develop an export market.
Other initiatives include:
British Trade International—a separately funded unit dealing with expanding the export and raising the profile of British goods abroad.
SMART awards—two awards have been made to Ocean Air Marine Ltd. totalling £126,000 to develop innovative technological ideas to improve the business.
Small Business Service—from April 2001 the Sussex Business Link will provide services on behalf of the Small Business Service. This will be a sharper and more focused service, acting as a gateway to the wide range of services available to local businesses.