Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he plans to take to enhance support for opportunity entrepreneurs to set up their own businesses.

We continue to work hard to maintain the UK as the best place in Europe for people to set up and grow their own business.

Over 30,000 people have benefitted from over £155 million worth of Start-Up Loans and expert business advice provided by the Start Up Loans Company. Around 70,000 unemployed people have set up their own businesses with the help of the New Enterprise Allowance scheme. And the Business Support Helpline provides free expert advice to help people to start and grow their own business.

We are increasing the annual Employment Allowance from £2,000 to £3,000 from April 2016 which will make it easier for people setting up a new business to take on their first employee. And we are committed to cutting a further £10 billion of red tape which will make life easier for all businesses.

The Devolved Administrations provide their own tailored business support schemes. We work closely with them to share experiences and make sure start-up businesses get the support they need.