§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what funding her Department has provided for the Environmental Business Growth Action Programme in 2004–05; [184148]
(2) what the (a) objectives, (b) aims and (c) targeted outputs are of the Environmental Business Growth Action Programme; and if she will make a statement. [184149]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Environmental Business Growth Action Plan aims to help the West Midlands to develop its potential to be a leading region in the area of environmental technologies, products and services. Its primary focus is support for SMEs and for the expansion of growth sector industries in this field. The business plan estimates that the programme will help to modernise and diversify the region's economy by assisting 2,600 SMEs across the region, creating an estimated 700 new jobs and safeguarding a further 2,000 jobs.
The plan provides funding for a range of initiatives supporting business growth in environmental technologies and improving environmental management practice in all businesses. It is operated by the Environment Agency, and draws on funding support from Advantage West Midlands and from European Structural Funds via Government Office West Midlands. It acts on behalf of a partnership comprising Advantage West Midlands, Government Office West Midlands, together with other regional organisations, with the Environment Agency acting as accountable body. Advantage West Midlands also participates in the management hoard of the plan together with other regional partner organisations.