CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride is hoping more local schools will inspire an interest among their pupils in entrepreneurship by signing up to Virgin Money’s Make £5 Grow programme.

The initiative gives 9-11-year-old school children the experience of starting a small business and managing finances.

Any school in the UK can register to take part free-of-charge and each participating pupil is given a £5 loan to start a business and teachers are supported with lesson plans, activities, and resources to help their pupils’ businesses thrive.

The aim of the programme is to help children develop key life skills and better understand money management.

At the end of the programme the school keeps all profits made to reinvest in pupils once the initial loan has been repaid.

Mr Stride, who chairs the influential House of Commons Treasury Select Committee, said: “Since 2016, 20 schools in Central Devon have completed the programme or are currently enrolled, and it would be great to see even more take part.

“Just as science, history or music lessons can inspire a life-long interest in these subjects, an initiative like this could be the spark that leads a child to think about setting up their own business later in life.

“But even if it doesn’t, the lessons they will learn about managing their money are really important.”

For more information visit: make-5-grow.co.uk .