Eastbourne start-up figures revealed

Between April 2011 and June 2020 there were 140 start-up businesses launched in Eastbourne.

The New Enterprise Allowance, a form of support from the government, has allowed 10,000 new businesses to be launched by jobseekers in the south east of England.

The figures show that jobseekers used their local Jobcentre and the New Enterprise Allowance scheme to launch their own business.

The scheme was set up in 2011 and has allowed unemployed benefit claimants to ‘turn aspirations into reality’, according to the Department of Work and Pensions.

It offers participants a personal mentor, weekly living allowance and applicants can also apply for financial backing of up to £25,000.

Mim Davies, the minister for employment, said, “This remains a challenging time for families across the country but whether people are looking for a new job or a new source of income, there is hope.

“Our Jobcentre staff are there to help and can open doors to new opportunities, like the support offered through our New Enterprise Allowance.

“I’m calling on all the budding entrepreneurs out there to contact their work coach and discuss how to make their business idea a reality.”