HC Deb 18 March 2003 vol 401 cc720-1W
Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many businesses were established under the new deal self-employment model for 50 plus in each year since its creation; and how many of those businesses were still trading after (a) one year, (b) two years, (c) three years, (d) four years and (e) five years and above. [93410]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

The New Deal 50 Plus does not include specific assistance for people going into self-employment. However, through the New Deal 50 plus, the Employment Credit of £60 per week for up to a year is available to eligible customers whose estimated income is £15,000 or less, this includes people going in to self-employment. From the 6 April 2003, the Employment Credit will be replaced by an over 50s supplement to the Working Tax Credit.

In addition, people going into self employment through New Deal 50 plus have access to a Training Grant, of up to £1,500, in the first two years of trading.

Information on the number of people who have received the Employment Credit for self-employment is in the table.

New Deal 50 Plus
April to December 2000 January to December 2001 January to November 2002 Total
Employment Credit—Self Employment 2,960 4,250 3,750 10,960
Training Grant—Self Employment 270 750 750 1,780

Note:

Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and ma not sum due to rounding.

Source:

New Deal Evaluation Database

Hugh Bayley

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many young people in the City of York council area have been helped into jobs under the New Deal. [102635]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

From its launch in January 1998 to the end of December 2002 the New Deal had helped over 400,000 young people into work, including 820 people in the City of York Local Authority area.