Chris Grayling pledges to get Britain working and announces a massive expansion of business opportunities for the unemployed
Today, Employment Minister Chris Grayling and David Frost, the Head of the British Chambers of Commerce, opened the first of a new wave of Enterprise Clubs that will support unemployed people who wish to start a new business. The Minister also announced that specialist training and financial support will be made available via the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA).
Speaking at the Enterprise Clubs launch in St. Helen, Merseyside, the Minister said:
“The Enterprise Clubs and the New Enterprise Allowance are part of our drive to create a much more business friendly environment in Britain and to support the development of tens of thousands of new businesses to help rebuild our economy and create new jobs.
We want to make sure that unemployed people with a good idea get the support they need to move into self-employment, and also that there is easily accessible advice and guidance for all kinds of new small businesses across the country. We want to see experienced businesses roll their sleeves up and give a helping hand to newer entrepreneurs.”
The Clubs are designed to utilise the expertise of established local businesses to aid novice entrepreneurs in their area, thus adding further credence to the coalition-government’s Big Society agenda. NEA, which will be introduced nationally from Autumn, will be available to those who have been unemployed for six months, and the DWP expects up to 40, 000 new businesses to be set-up within two years.
Concurring with Mr. Grayling, the Head of the British Chambers of Commerce said:
“As we grow the economy one option must be to encourage unemployed people to become self-employed or start their own business. These new Enterprise Clubs and the New Enterprise Allowance will offer real, practical help and financial assistance to the unemployed.”
Kuki Taylor
Research and Communications
Published on 31st January 2011
So our wise leaders are expecting volunteers to do the work of helping the unemployed off the dole and into self employment?
I’m not sure if the Government are naive or think we are. You cannot get a high quality service for free.