[3] Introduced nationwide in 1983 against a background of mass unemployment in Britain, it went on to fund 325,000 people, including Creation Records head Alan McGee; Superdry founder Julian Dunkerton; artist Tracey Emin and the founders of Viz magazine.
Proponents of the scheme believed that it would have a great impact on unemployment, and support entrepreneurship.
[1] A similar scheme, the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance was set up in Ireland.
On 6 October 2010, a plan was announced by Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith to revive the scheme, giving mentoring and funding of up to £2000 to those unemployed for over six months and wishing to start up their own business.
The funding would include a weekly payment linked to the value of their benefit, and £1000 for the purchase of equipment.