Business starts up a 'Boost for South Lakeland' - Farron

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has described figures showing that local jobseekers have been helped to start up 50 new businesses since 2011 as 'a real boost for the South Lakeland'. These start-ups are thanks to a Government scheme that helps unemployed people set up their own business.

The New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) was first introduced in 2011. The most recent statistics show that through the scheme, around 2,000 new businesses are being set up every month in the UK.

The NEA offers expert mentoring and financial support to jobseekers who want to start up their own business, helping people who have previously been on benefits turn their business ideas into successful enterprises.

Figures released last week show that beneficiaries of the scheme come from all ages, with more than 6,000 businesses started by people aged 50 or over - challenging the idea that entrepreneurial zeal is solely a youthful attribute.

Almost 4,000 disabled people were also helped by the scheme to become their own boss.

Tim said: "The New Enterprise Allowance is a fantastic scheme which enables Jobseekers to put their business ideas into action. It's great to see that Jobseekers in the South Lakes have taken advantage of the scheme and that 50 new businesses have been set up as a result.

"Every new business means at least one more person in work, fulfilling their aspirations. This is good for them, good for their families and good for our local economy. I hope many more local jobseekers will be able to take advantage of the scheme and that we'll see many more successful start-ups in the years to come."