Many unemployed people in York have been seeking help in setting up their own businesses, Business Support York & North Yorkshire (BSYNY) has said.

The business support organisation has been delivering the Government’s New Enterprise Allowance Scheme (NEA) with Job Centre Plus, which gives people who have been on Job Seekers Allowance for six months or more business development support, allowance payments, mentoring and access to a loan provider, so they can consider self-employment as a route away from unemployment.

Norman Whyte, chief executive of BSYNY, said: “We have seen a 50 per cent increase in client numbers as a result of NEA compared to the same period last year and a five-fold increase in turning ideas into businesses.”

Kate McCarthy-Bedward, who set up advertising and marketing business Classic Volks after being made redundant is one of the York residents to benefit from the scheme.

She said: “I’m so pleased to have been able to take part in the NEA programme. It has enabled me to develop my business idea and BSYNY have helped me with my business plan and sourcing funding as well as being able to support me through mentoring in the early months.

“Now I can look forward to developing my business and I have already secured initial customers.”