New Enterprise Allowance scheme - My story

Andy2013

The figures dont lie. Those who have gone through the NEA scheme are much more likely to still be trading after a year when compared with those who started a new business without any support!

This statement interests me as to how you come about these figures and what indeed the numbers are, I am interested so please post the link as to where this info is , I think we would all like to see how well this scheme does actually work !

Of the 6 people on my induction only I am still trading , the other 5 fell along the way side, according to them due mainly to the lack of help that was promised as part of the scheme but in reality was far from true.

I would be interested to see those figures you mention via a link please !

tomterm8

D4VE wrote: »

ggg1 - During the seminar we were told, that we won't have to search and apply for jobs, because writing business plan, etc will be our jobsearch activity.

Yes, you do still have to do your job search while writing your business plan (BP) as your agreement with JCP is to be actively seeking emplyoment and your BP is only one of these 'searches'.

Even after my BP and loan application had been approved, I still put down the usual 6 job applications on my search form. Seems pointless really, but there you go.

IF I had got an interview with any of these companies, I doubt I'd have attended unless the job was underworked/overpaid )

That's not true. The relevant law is http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/276/regulation/7/made .

Andy2013

Nice to see this is print , I argued this point in December 2012 when told I needed to job search.

It should not be for us to be seeking this info, but the NEA scheme is almost unknown by a lot of job centre staff.

TrueBlue1965

Some very interesting reading in this report, Andy. The report indiates the successes and failings of NEA and answers many questions.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-enterprise-allowance-qualitative-evaluation-rr-836

I,ve not come across the official figures i,ve seen for those still trading after more than a year. I did see them in late 2013 (September/October) when I was researching NEA and attempting to access the new higher loan.

Andy2013

Its a nice report but it does not back up your "Figures" statement as it merely says how many started the program , not how many went the full duration and are still trading and this is the crux of the matter.

On this basis all we can see is that the JC are placing more people onto the scheme, quite possibly ( call me sceptical but I am probably right) as a way to reduce the unemployment rate.

The true test is how many run the full 6 months and trade beyond that time and this does not give any indication to that.

The figures dont lie. Those who have gone through the NEA scheme are much more likely to still be trading after a year when compared with those who started a new business without any support!

So this statement of yours is of no use, no figures to show if in fact "Those who have gone through the NEA scheme are much more likely to still be trading after a year "

Not quite what I hoped you would give us to back up your claims.

tomterm8

Honestly, I think a certain percentage of people do it to avoid the work programme and/or get the job centre off their back while they look for work. I question what number of people are serious about starting a new business.

Particularly if you are reaching the end of your eligability for contributions based and won't qualify for IB benefits...

I'd not be surprised if the success rate is lower than people starting up without NEA.

Andy2013

Exactly my point tomterm8 , the simple fact is ANYONE can start self employment with or without NEA , the finance helps don't get me wrong but if you really want something bad enough you make it happen yourself, and for those who say you need loans etc, not true, my business is buying and selling and certainly a loan would have been very helpful but I managed to make my business work by reinvesting profit each month from £300 I had saved myself , if I can do it enough said there.

Its all very well having a government written white paper claiming so many thousands have signed up to NEA but like tomterm8 says this can be a last resort to either losing benefits or going onto WP.

Job centres have targets as we all do , and there's is primarily to reduce the unemployment rate in what ever fashion they can.

I go back to my only figures of proof so far , but of the 6 on my induction only I still trade , 2 openly admitted once on NEA they had done so to avoid WP and would not be self employed beyond 6 months,which they were not and the other 3 all failed to make it work ,due in part they say to the lack of help and guidance that NEA was supposed to offer.

1 in 6 is not good numbers and if that is nation wide NEA has problems.

TrueBlue1965

An 88 page repot read and understood in 12 minutes. Nice going Andy! The report covers most areas of NEA and is very well balanced. Backs up your experience of NEA and mine. Try reading it mate!

Andy2013

MATE, highlight me these figures your talking about, I can scan pretty quickly im not at primary school !

All I can see is the number of those signed up , not anything about those whom end the programme early or run it full course.

You started the whole "figures" quote so back it up !!

Andy2013

TrueBlue1965 I don't mean to be rude, we all have our opinions and ours clearly differ , I would just like some numbers as to the true success of the scheme and I cant find any.

This 88 page dribble is written without any substance and is purely written to try to back up the schemes credibility.

Have I read it word for word ,NO , I cant believe you actually did !!! How boring !!!

Numbers would show it much better , 200 in 1000 / 50% , anything would have been nice as you started the whole "figures" thing I hoped you could shed some light , if you cant fair dos but at least say so .