Rory Stewart – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rory Stewart on 2014-05-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what support the Government is giving to small and medium-sized businesses in Cumbria.

Matthew Hancock

We continue to work hard to provide the right support to make life easier for small and medium sized business everywhere.

www.gov.uk is the home for Government services and information online. One of the tools available is the ‘Finance and Support Finder;’ a searchable database of publicly-backed sources of finance and business support. The website www.greatbusiness.gov.uk also provides support and advice for anyone trying to start or grow a business.

In addition to on-line support, the Business Support Helpline is available to provide a quick response on queries about starting a business, or a personalised and in-depth advice service for more complex needs.

Cumbria has benefitted from a number of support schemes. The Start-Up Loan Scheme has provided business advice and 43 loans with a value of £275,000 to people starting a business. Since May 2010, 165 companies have benefitted from the Government’s Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme with a drawn down value of £12.1 million. 470 employer workplaces have received payments to take on an Apprentice’s through the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers Scheme (AGE 16-24).