Mark Garnier MP has welcomed the results from a Government scheme to help unemployed people start their own business.
The New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) scheme has supported 90 business starts in Wyre Forest, while 190 people have started working with a business mentor to develop their business idea. The NEA started in April 2011 to help connect unemployed people with a business mentor and get a business up and running. The NEA is gives unemployed people financial support to help them start their business and get through the tricky early months. The numbers taking up the scheme are higher than the constituency average nationwide. In total 60,480 new businesses have started through this scheme.
Mark Garnier MP said: "This is fantastic news, showing people locally have the determination, market knowledge and can-do attitude to contribute to the local economy. For many this will be a realisation of long held business desires. Local businesses cater for local needs in a personalised way, but also have the potential to take off in the wider West Midlands. I'm also pleased to say that from the 5th of January this year the eligibility criteria has widened to include Income Support claimants who are lone parents or sick, and Universal Credit claimants in the work related groups. I look forward to watching the development of the mentored individuals and businesses already finding their feet."