HC Deb 16 January 2002 vol 378 c385W
Brian Cotter

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what advice is given to local jobcentres directing them to encourage young people seeking work to approach the Prince's Trust with a view to starting their own business. [24372]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

The Prince's Trust is one of a number of organisations with which the Employment Service (ES) contract to deliver business start-up help within the new deal for young people. The Department also supports the trust's youth enterprise programme which operates in England. This offers loans and grants to disadvantaged young people who want to set up their own business, but cannot access start-up capital from commercial sources.

As with other similar providers, Jobcentres are encouraged to make young people aware of the support the Prince's Trust can offer, and to refer interested young people to the Trust in their local area. In practice, this means that Jobcentres are guided to:

  1. 1. check whether potential participants fall within the required age group;
  2. 2. explain to potential participants the range of financial assistance available from the Trust; and
  3. 3. refer potential participants to the Prince's Trust and other appropriate providers.