£6m for businesses in disadvantaged communities

Following a report in UKTECH last week, which predicted the Government would be targeting disadvantaged areas and under-represented groups of people in its new ‘enterprise and fairness’ policy, DTI’s Secretary of State, Patricia Hewitt, has announced a package of more than £6 million to develop enterprise among disadvantaged communities and under-represented groups.

The money is being awarded under the Phoenix Fund and comes on top of £100 million allocated under the Fund since 1999.

Projects receiving funding include:

• Social Firms UK, awarded £976,000 to deliver business support for organisations developing social enterprises and increasing business opportunities for people with disabilities;
  
• the Women's Employment, Enterprise and Training Unit (WEETU), given £750,000 to develop training, access to finance, networking and childcare provision for low-income women in East Anglia;
  
• the Food and Drink Forum, awarded £400,000 to nurture entrepreneurship in disadvantaged areas of the East Midlands by supporting people in developing a food or drink idea into a sustainable business.

Nine other organisations up and down the UK - ranging from a project stimulating retail companies in inner-city areas to a programme helping refugees start up in business - also receive funding.

Patricia Hewitt said: "Boosting enterprise among groups under-represented in business and in disadvantaged communities is the key to social inclusion.

"The Government is committed to enterprise for all, no matter where people live or whatever their circumstances.

"The money that I'm announcing will help more people start up in business."