Skip to main content

Investment: North West

Volume 472: debated on Thursday 6 March 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what support his Department has made available to attract inward investment to (a) Warrington and (b) the North West in the last three years. (184355)

Through the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) has provided support to attract inward investment through a number of initiatives.

The main gateway for Business Support in (a) Warrington and (b) the North West, is via Business Link, a NWDA funded project. Business Link provides a range of support services to businesses including advice on Starting Up; Finance and Grants; Taxes, returns and payroll; Employing people; Health, Safety, property; Environment and Efficiency; Exploiting ideas; IT and E-Commerce; Sales and Marketing; International Trade; Growing your business; Buying or selling a business.

The NWDA provides focused business support to key companies that compliment the Business Link service, as well as administering the Selective Finance for Investment (SFI) grant scheme on behalf of BERR. SFI aims to support companies that want to invest/create jobs. The level of grant that can be provided is determined on a company’s location.

There is also a range of sector specialists that proactively manage key companies across the region. This business support is aimed at companies to grow and develop their businesses with a view to attracting further investment.