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LadyEllen -> RE: 25 billion to help small businesses (10/5/2008 6:16:18 AM)
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So much pessimism, born out of the experience of previous such announcements.
Its always made me wonder in the past, when he and others have mentioned "help for small businesses" - what exactly that meant, because my experience is there is no help available whatever.
I remember contacting the local Chamber Of Commerce to check out what was available. Once they'd comprehended the notion that my business idea didnt have any connection whatever with carpets (the area is renowned - or was - for carpet manufacture) I learned that what was available was very basic introduction courses on starting a business.
What was notable to me about this was that to get a place on a course I would have to come up with several hundred pounds in payment - money that in starting a business might be very important to its establishment - to be told stuff that if I didnt know it already I had no business whatever in considering setting up a business.
And I also recall my friend's experience during his recent period of unemployment. This guy is a qualified engineer, a qualified armourer and very capable - though of course in our brave new world modern economy such skills are pretty much not in demand. So, he thought he might train to be a gas fitter - great idea, good money and career prospects and what with all the retraining help the government talks of, a sure fire way back to employment.
So he went to the DSS to talk it through and what help was available for retraining. The answer was "absolutely none" - in fact if he went on the retaining course he wouldnt even be entitled to benefits since he'd be unavailable for work. So, from having the impression that he might get help, he was informed that he would have to come up with several thousand pounds for the course and several thousand to cover his expenses whilst training.
And politicians wonder why we're all just a little bit cynical
E
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