As a council, it is our duty to protect our economy and support our business and enterprise community during these difficult times. We are working hard to ensure you have access to the latest available help.
For further advice you can speak to the business engagement team. We are experiencing a high volume of calls and emails but will be in touch as soon as possible.
What support is available?
The government have announced a range of schemes to support businesses, employees and the self-employed.
You will find all available government support listed below.
Help to Grow
A new set of schemes called help to grow will help small and medium sized businesses across the UK to learn new skills, reach new customers and boost profits.
Community Ownership Fund
The government is providing £150 million over 4 years to support community groups in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to take ownership of assets and amenities at risk of being lost.
Voluntary and community groups can bid for match funding to acquire important assets and run them for the benefit of the local community.
The Fund will run until 2024/25 and there will be at least 8 bidding rounds in total.
Business rates retail, hospitality, and leisure relief scheme
From 1st April 2022, the 2022/23 retail, hospitality and leisure business rates relief scheme will provide occupied retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with a 50% relief up to a cash cap limit of £110,000 per business.
Ratepayers that occupy more than one property will be entitled to relief for each of their eligible properties up to the maximum £110,000 cash cap per business. No business rates payer should in any circumstances exceed this limit across all their properties in England.
Recovery Loan Scheme
The Recovery Loan Scheme has been extended a further two years from the 1st August 2022.
This scheme provides lenders with a guarantee of 70% on eligible loans up to £2million and is open to all businesses, including those who have already received support under the covid 19 guaranteed loan schemes.
DWP Employer Help for Recruitment
DWP have launched the employer help website (external link) which focuses on recruiting, and encourages use of the Government Matching Service ‘Find a Job’, a free service with more than 1.8m registered users.
Apprenticeship support funding
Employers who recruit a new apprentice aged 16-18 years old (or under 25 with an Education Health Care Plan) are eligible for a £1,000 Employer Incentive grant from government. The grant is paid (subject to criteria being met) in two instalments after 3 months and 12 months.
Industry placements - T Levels
T Levels (external link) are a new, 2-year qualification for 16- to 19-year-olds. At the heart of each course is a 45-day industry placement, which will give you first access to the brightest talent entering your market.
Sector-based work academies
A flexible programme tailored to meet your recruitment needs, including pre-employment training, a work experience placement for up to six weeks, and a guarantee of a job interview. Normally runs as a work experience placement at your business, pre-employment training off site or online. It is available to anyone receiving out of work benefits from 18 upwards.
Traineeships
A 6-week to 12 months skills development programme that includes an unpaid work placement to help 16- to 24-year-olds prepare for an apprenticeship or employment.
For an informal discussion regarding any of the following: DWP employee help, Apprentice support funding, industry placements – T Levels, Sector based work academies or traineeships, ring Matthew Stockwell our Business Partner for Apprenticeships on 01942 489177.