Enterprise Insight

Mr. Carmichael
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the level of Government funding for Enterprise Insight is for 2006-07; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge
The level of Government funding for Enterprise Insight in 2006-07 is £5 million.

This support enables Enterprise Insight to continue developing and running the highly successful ‘Make Your Mark’ campaign. The campaign is aimed at people aged between 14 and 30 and encourages them to be enterprising in the broadest sense.

Enterprise Week is the focal point of the campaign. Last year saw 408,000 people from all over the UK attend 2,215 events, run by 722 organisations helped by 3,874 businesses. It is anticipated that these already impressive results will be bettered during Enterprise Week 2006, which Enterprise Insight will run from 13-19 November.

The funding will also support the development of new Local Enterprise Campaign Hubs in some of the country’s most deprived and under-performing areas. In addition, the funding will support the development of partnerships to run campaigns in specific industry sectors, emphasising the role of enterprise in the successful start up and growth of companies.

Mr. Carmichael
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met representatives of Enterprise Insight; what the outcome was of the meeting; and what plans he has to hold further meetings with this organisation.

Margaret Hodge
As Minister for Industry and the Regions with responsibility for the Small Business Service, I met Enterprise Insight on 18 May.

The outcome of my meeting was a reaffirmed commitment that the Department will support the development and running of the ‘Make Your Mark’ campaign; and, to Ministerial participation in key events during the campaign’s flagship annual initiative of ‘Enterprise Week’, which this year will run from 13-19 November.

Further meetings with Enterprise Insight will be scheduled as the year progresses.