Jane Kennedy, MP

PROTESTS have been made by local Labour MP Jane Kennedy over the £44,000 cost of a business forum in Kensington which attracted just four people.

She branded the cost "a shocking waste of public money" amid fears that it could be just the tip of the iceberg for Kensington New Deal for Communities.

The NDC forked out the money to a business advice service for the forum, which was aimed at supporting local business and encouraging new jobs.

But only four people attended and the scheme engaged very few local businesses.

Jane Kennedy said:"Local businesses need all the help they can get to weather the current global recession, but this forum appears to be a complete waste of public money.

"It works out at £11,000 for every person who attended, when the total £44,000 could have made a real difference to local business.

"Specialist one-to-one advice and support could have been provided for dozens of local businesses, or new local enterprises could have been given grant aid.

"But to spend that amount on a forum which no-one attends, does not inspire confidence at all. I am appalled."

Read more at £44K spent on Liverpool business forum attended by just four people