SKIPTON MP Julian Smith has welcomed figures that show Start-Up Loans and New Enterprise Allowance schemes have helped new businesses in the constituency.
The figures reveal that Start-Up Loans have assisted 88 people across Skipton and Ripon, with loans of £509,273 since the scheme launched in 2012.
And the New Enterprise Allowance has helped another 240 people.
Mr Smith said: "Small businesses are an essential part of our community, bringing jobs and economic security. Encouraging business creators is a vital part of our long-term economic plan to secure a better future for Britain.
"These figures show that our Start-Up Loans and New Enterprise Allowance are helping us to do just that, with 328 people here in Skipton and Ripon supported, so that new companies can be launched and new jobs for hardworking people are created.
"This support is giving people in all parts of the country the chance to fulfil their ambition to set up their own business, and as a One Nation government we will take this further over the next five years."
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