I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues and Welsh Assembly Government Ministers on all issues affecting the Welsh economy including small businesses.
The Welsh Assembly Government are actively engaged in promoting small business and self-employment options to young people, including graduates.
In addition, under the Jobcentre Plus Six Month Offer, there are two elements of help on offer to people who want to move into self-employment or start a business. The first provides financial support during the early weeks of trading through the self-employment credit paid of £50 a week for up to 16 weeks and the Building Britain’s Recovery White Paper brings forward entitlement to this credit to three months.
The second is a provision of additional funds to Flexible Support for Business in Wales so that it can provide intensive self-employment and business start-up support for those who need it both before they leave benefits and into the first weeks of trading.