§ Sir Robert SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the services to be funded by the resources allocated to the local network category in the small business section on page 96 of the DTI's Expenditure Plans 2002–03 to 2003–04, Cm 5416; how much funding is allocated to each service; and what the function of each service is. [112881]
§ Nigel GriffithsThe activities to be funded in 2003–04 under the local network category of the DTI Expenditure Plans report for 2002–03 to 2003–04 are: Business Link Core Services Budget—£140.5 million. This budget is allocated to 45 Regional Business Link346W Operators (BLOs) to deliver business support services for the benefit and the development of small and medium sized enterprises by increasing employment, productivity and helping to stimulate an increased level of business start-ups in the BLO's locality.
Local Network Development—£3.7 million. This funding supports SBS head office and regional activities designed to enhance and develop the effectiveness of the BLO network and to support the SBS strategy.