Laura Sandys welcomed the Government’s announcement to provide a £30 million boost to Start-Up Loans intended to create thousands of new businesses and help young people find jobs.
Laura said: “Having managed two start-up companies, the first when I was 19, I know how daunting it can be when you first decide to go it alone. The Start-Up Loans are particularly useful as they not only offer a low interest loan, but also a package of support and mentoring to guide them to success. I would encourage any budding entrepreneurs in Thanet to apply for a Start Up loan to get their business ideas moving. Combined with Expansion East Kent funding, there is lots of help available for Thanet start-ups in 2013!
“This is very exciting news, particularly for Thanet where there has always been a real entrepreneurial spirit and there are so many young people keen to set up their own businesses. Sir Roger Gale and I organised a very large jobs fair last June and I met lots of people who came along to attend a start-up workshop or meet some of the agencies who were in attendance providing advice and guidance on running a business.”
The Prime Minister’s announcement brings the total pot for Start-Up Loans to more than £110 million over the next three years and will see the age range extended to 30 years old, enabling more people to take advantage of this fund. New figures have shown that in the first three months of the scheme alone, over £1.5 million worth of loans have been approved, helping nearly 500 new businesses get off the ground. The South East has received 19% of the total loans which have been awarded so far.