250 Highlanders supported to launch new businesses through UK Government scheme

Highlands and Islands MSP, Edward Mountain has welcomed the continued support of the UK Government’s New Enterprise Allowance scheme, which has helped 250 Highlanders open businesses since 2011.

New figures also show that between April 2011 and June 2020 more than 13,000 jobseekers in Scotland used support from their local Jobcentre and the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) scheme, to launch their own business.

Launched in 2011, there has been over a quarter of million NEA starts by unemployed benefit claimants which has helped turn aspirations into reality, offering participants a personal business mentor, weekly living allowance and applicants can apply for financial backing of up to £25,000 to realise the ambitions for their start-up.

Edward Mountain MSP said: “This remains a challenging time for families across the Highlands but the UK Government is committed to supporting the recovery of our local economy.

"Budding entrepreneurs can apply for support through the UK Government’s New Enterprise Allowance to make their business idea a reality.

"Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy and it is vital that Highlanders continue to use this scheme."

Mr Mountain added: "Encouraging entrepreneurship helps to create more local jobs and that will help to drive the economic recovery as we build back better from the coronavirus pandemic.”

Read more about Edward Mountian MSP.

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