New Enterprise Allowance scheme - My story

Stevenb

The vast majority who have completed NEA are still trading after 1 years. More new businesses still trading after one year than those who start their own business without the support of NEA! So, your talking rubbish! The stats are on this forum a few pages back!

No is the answer, we have seen no figures that show that nea is working well long term, trueblue just seems to have seen some that's all.

Figures showing how many start and finish nea does not show how many are still going 9 or 12 months down the line..

Where are these numbers trueblue SHOW UUSSSSSSSSSS !!!!!

TrueBlue1965

Andy, you have seen the link to the stats for those still not claiming benefits 1 year after finishing NEA payments. If you wish to ignore those figures. Thats up to you but they are the official figures available at the moment. Yes, it would be very interestng to see further figures relating to start-up businesses and the NEA/Start-up loan company and those who go it alone without any help. However, the stats suggest that those who have gone though NEA and Start-Up are doing better than those who go it alone!

Stevenb, those figures are for those on NEA upto12 months after finishing the NEA payments!!!

Great books with high profits = capital. With zero capital and only a business plan. Banks are saying no to business loans. Thats why this Government are backing NEA and The Start-Up Loan Company for new business and their loans. Even, the Start-Up Loan Company want proof of a viable business with sales figures before they will offer a loan in almost all cases. That leaves only the NEA scheme for those who have no capital to start their business and so need a loan!

Paying your NI contributions is part of running any business. Think its something like 15 years grace before it effects individuals benefits suchas State Pension and JSA ect. Those with missing years NI contributions are able to pay extra into the pot to make sure they have enough contributions later in life.

If your partner works more than 25 hours a week then you will be expected to become financially dependent on him/her. That would be no different than before someone goes on NEA and becomes self-employed if their partner is working 25 hours per/week!

firestop

I'm not saying the enterprise allowance (new or otherwise) is not worth a punt. For many, me included at the time, it is perhaps the only chance to get some semblance of a decent life back after unemployment especially if you're in your 50's. My criticism is that the level of allowances and loans available, even with the entitlement to working tax credits, are not realistic and the danger is that new startups fail or at the very best remain nothing more than tiny non supporting businesses unable to grow.
My partner is awaiting a decision so that she can move off the dole and start her own business. She's in her early 50's without a cat in hells chance of getting a job and as she is shy on 2 months NI contributions, despite working most of her adult life, does not receive JSA and is financially dependent on me. We believe that we've identified a niche in a market. We've put together a great business plan and, as a result of my own experience in starting up a business and the shortcomings of my preparation, have spent months carrying out market research. The difference is that my business will be providing the seed capital to give it a sporting chance. The enterprise allowance is just another income stream.

Stevenb

You clearly love NEA maybe your on the pay role because your blowing one big trumpet , but your naivety is worrying.

Thats why this Government are backing NEA and The Start-Up Loan Company for new business and their loans.

No its to get the unemployment figures down and make it look like people are in work, you will argue , you always do but this is the reason so get you head out of the sand.

If your business fails you could work for the Blues on there campaign because you seemingly love the work they are doing .

TrueBlue1965 for those who have not seen these figures as I asked earlier please post the link so they can see. THANK YOU

Oh and I would be careful picking a fight with andy2013 or firestop , they seem to have a lot more business sense than some others I could mention.

Stevenb

We've put together a great business plan and, as a result of my own experience in starting up a business and the shortcomings of my preparation, have spent months carrying out market research. The difference is that my business will be providing the seed capital to give it a sporting chance. The enterprise allowance is just another income stream.

Come on keep fighting the country needs more of you, I wish you well . :beer:

Andy2013

Andy, you have seen the link to the stats for those still not claiming benefits 1 year after finishing NEA payments. If you wish to ignore those figures. Thats up to you

Im not ignoring anything my little sugar plum but please don't lecture on running a business and finance.

I understand plenty to know that £33 a week and no mentor and a load of debt from a loan is ******* useless and doing things yourself and fighting for your own destiny is the best way forward in life.

You cant honestly tell us that all the thousands of people going onto NEA were desperate to be SE and have fabulous long term business plans that will last the test of time.

GET REAL

TrueBlue1965

Andy2013, my big sugar plum (he loves me ):j. Im not lecturing you on running a business and finance. Im making the same point that was made a few weeks ago. You dont like the official findings. So, you want different figures/findings. Would like more upto date figures myself but these things usually take time to become available. You have asked the questions and we are awaiting the Freedom of info request.

You cant honestly tell us that all the thousands of people going onto NEA were desperate to be SE and have fabulous long term business plans that will last the test of time. You made it work for you, Andy. Im one of the thousands.

What you forget or simply dont get is that most of us on NEA just want a chance to make a new life for ourselves though self employment. Yes, some want 6 months without the JCP staff on their backs. Others will never make their business work for many different reasons and will have a loan to deal with for years to come. However, if NEA is the best or only option open to those on JSA. Then, its better than nothing IMHO. Im following my dream. Im making it work. Without NEA I would still be on the dole or in some crappy job and earning next to nothing and thats a fact. So, while I think NEA and whats on offer could be better. Its much better than nothing! So, please GET REAL.

Stevenb, NEA was already up and running locally in my City before the Government backed the idea with central funding though what became NEA. Its a very different scheme in my City when compared with what seems to be on offer in other areas. Im guessing a lot depends on which political party are controlling the area and so the funding given to run the various NEA schemes. Its not a stunt by this Government to hide the unemployment figures. Start-Up Loans was set up for other different reasons. The banks refussed to lend to small/new businesses. What other option did this Government have but to back small/new business though Government funding? Dont for one minute think that I agree with this Government on anything. Im as left wing as they come. NEA was not a Tory idea. It was a scheme created in Liverpool/ST Helens !!!!!! to deal with some of the unemployment issues in my City. It gave local people a chance to start and run their own businesses. Many have taken the chance that NEA offers and they are doing ok based on the feedback that im getting.

The links your after are on page 54.

Who is having a fight, Stevenb? Just a discussion with some differences of opinon. Im right, their wrong. Simple as. :beer:

Andy2013

Andy2013, my big sugar plum (he loves me ):j.

I don't think we will be exchanging Christmas cards this year put it that way.

Stevenb

I understand plenty to know that £33 a week and no mentor and a load of debt from a loan is ******* useless and doing things yourself and fighting for your own destiny is the best way forward in life.

Andy never a truer word spoken it , the loan issue is a worry because if you take out 2.5k with interest you could be paying back 3k over 3 years and I can guess a lot of people on nea don't even earn that much to pay it back, plus your lumbered with debt for ages.

TrueBlue1965 will correct me on my numbers as always :eek:

Many have taken the chance that NEA offers and they are doing ok based on the feedback that im getting.

TrueBlue1965 I would interested to know who you are, either your an insider ............ or your full of BS ............. probably the second.

The feedback your talking about is not from this thread because most of us think NEA is !!!!.

leonski

I'd recommend anyone thinking of doing the Enterprise Allowance Scheme to have 2 months worth of rent to pay their landlord. I'm poised to be evicted whilst Manchester City Council do their best to slow down proceedings and not pay any housing benefit. I was told going on to Enterprise Allowance would be virtually seamless - but i had to get a form to them asap. I did that, but that was just the start of the council dragging their feet. (inc, letters asking how much my new business has made in the last 3 years).

The last letter they sent recently asked me to prove I was on the scheme. Something I did on June the 2.

So let this be a warning. Unless you can pay your rent or have a very understanding landlord I'd steer clear.