New Enterprise Allowance scheme rolled out to West Lothian

The Government has recently rolled out the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) programme to West Lothian. The NEA provides support to start a business to Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) customers who have been claiming for 26-weeks or more.

Job Centre Plus needs to be contacted to confirm eligibility and for referral onto the programme.

Participants will get access to a volunteer business mentor who will provide guidance and support as they develop their business plan and through the early months of trading. Once a customer can demonstrate they have a viable business proposition with the potential for growth in the future, they will be able to access financial support. This will consist of:

• a weekly allowance worth £1,274 over 26 weeks, paid at £65 a week for the first 13 weeks and £33 a week for a further 13 weeks, and


• if they need start-up capital, they may also be able to access a loan up to £1,000 to help with their start-up costs.

The total package of support could be worth up to £2,274 to each participant who starts their own business.

Please read here for more on the NEA programme.