To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much has been spent on (a) assistance to businesses, (b) staffing, (c) administration and (d) publicity under the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative since its inception; and how many businesses have been assisted by the initiative. (317702)

LEGI is allocated to local authorities to support enterprise in deprived areas, thereby giving them the flexibility to best determine the local needs and use the funding in creative ways to support local priorities. The total programme from 2006-07 to 2010-11 is worth £418 million.

As a locally managed fund, central Government do not hold the information requested.

However, an independent national evaluation of LEGI is scheduled to be published later this year which will help to identify and disseminate good practice.