New enterprise allowance helps local people set up their own business - Farron

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has welcomed new figures showing that 70 people in Westmorland & Lonsdale have been helped off benefits and are now running their own businesses, under the Government's New Enterprise Allowance scheme.

The New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) aims to help unemployed people claiming out of work benefits who wish to start up their own business. Participants in NEA work with a business mentor to develop their business idea. Once they have started trading and left benefits, they receive a weekly allowance.

The support available to people begins with help from a business mentor to develop their business ideas. Then once the business is up and running and participants have moved off benefits, they are eligible for 26 weeks of financial support as they get their business going.

Commenting on the scheme Tim said, "With 70 New Enterprise Allowance starts in Westmorland and 90 in South Lakeland we have an above average take up for the scheme, demonstrating a strong entrepreneurial flair in our area."