Prospective Conservative MP James Heappey has welcomed the results from a Government scheme to help unemployed people start their own business.
The New Enterprise Allowance (‘NEA’) scheme has supported 100 business starts across the Wells constituency, while a further 180 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.
James Heappey said:
“The NEA has been a real success in our part of Somerset helping people off benefits and to start their own business.”
“It’s fantastic that there have been 100 business start-ups already since 2011 thanks to the scheme and I look forward to seeing the new businesses that will start with the support of a mentor over the next year. The NEA is giving people financial support to help them start their business and get through the tricky early months.”
“It is helping thousands of would-be entrepreneurs get off benefits and back into work. We are backing those who have a business idea that can work and the can-do attitude to make it a success. The NEA is helping more people to realise their dreams in business and I hope more people will take it up.”