Stephen Metcalfe, local MP
for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has welcomed new figures indicating an
increase in the number of private sector businesses in the South East and
Essex.
The number of businesses
in the South East has increased by around 58,350
over the past three years whilst the New Enterprise Allowance is seeing
business thrive in Essex.
Mr Metcalfe commented:
“These figures are great news for everyone in South Basildon and East Thurrock.
Thanks to the hard work and sacrifices of the British people, the British
economy is now turning a corner. There is still more to do and that is why in
2014 this Government will slash the jobs tax on all businesses with a new
£2,000 Employment Allowance. This will see 450,000 small businesses paying no jobs
tax at all. Conservatives are committed to securing a recovery that works for
all hardworking people.”
After being questioned by the local
MP in the House of Commons last week, The Secretary of State for Work and
Pensions informed Mr Metcalfe that the New Enterprise Allowance scheme has
helped start 500 new businesses in Essex.
The New Enterprise Allowance is a
package of Government support worth £69 million designed to help create tens of
thousands of new businesses. Recent statistics suggest that around 2,000 new
businesses are being set up every month.
The new funding includes:
- Business mentoring and funding for people who are unemployed but want to start up a company. The New Enterprise Allowance will be extended for new starters up until the end of 2014, providing an additional 60,000 mentoring places for claimants. The scheme has already helped to create more than 26,000 businesses.
- £34 million for Start-Up Loans that will support around 7,600 businesses. The scheme has already proved incredibly popular with around 35,000 people formally registering an interest in a loan and nearly 8,000 start-ups helped.
The new
funding will also ensure there are more loans for those over 30 and specific
support for ex-Service personnel. The Allowance
is being extended with new referrals being accepted for an additional 15 months
until the end of December 2014. Over this period an additional 60,000 mentoring
places will be made available to claimants.
Start ups in Essex include the
extremely successful ‘Brainbuzz’ which helps educate parents on how to help
children with disorders such as dyslexia.
Mr Metcalfe added: “The New
Enterprise Allowance is a fantastic scheme offering substantial sums of money
to those wishing to start up a business. I am delighted that applications are
being accepted for an extended people and I hope that eligible people in South
Basildon and East Thurrock will make the most of the opportunity available.”
For further
information on The New Enterprise Allowance see: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/adviser/updates/new-enterprise-allowance/
