Latest on government grant availability

From today, (Monday 14 September), small and medium sized businesses can apply for grants of between £1,000 and £3,000 to help them recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

The grant can be used to pay for:

• specialist professional advice such as human resources, accountants, legal, financial, IT and digital etc
• purchase of minor equipment to adapt or adopt new technology so they can continue to deliver their business activity or diversify

As well as completing an online application form, three quotations for the required products/services and evidence of business registration and trading since March 2019 will need to be submitted. Businesses will be encouraged to source products/services from within Wiltshire to support the ongoing recovery of local businesses.

Applications can be submitted to the Swindon and Wiltshire Growth Hub until 5 October 2020. The grants are fully funded by the Government and there is no obligation for businesses to contribute financially.

For more information: https://growthhub.swlep.co.uk/

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New grants for businesses affected by local lockdowns. (Not applicable in Wiltshire at the moment)

Businesses required to close due to local lockdowns or targeted restrictions will be able to receive grants worth up to £1,500 every three weeks.

Those businesses with a rateable value of £51,000 or above will receive £1,500 and those with a rateable value less than £51,000 will receive £1,000. Local authorities will also receive an additional 5% top up amount of business support funding to help other businesses affected by closures which may not have business rates.

Local authorities will be responsible for distributing the grants and determining further eligibility criteria. Wiltshire Council is reviewing the guidance from Government and aims to have the scheme set up in advance of any local lockdowns in Wiltshire.

To find out more: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministers-announce-new-grants-for-businesses-affected-by-local-lockdowns

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Kickstart Scheme now open for applications. ('Kickstart' is named after an obsolete way of starting motorcycles)

The Kickstart Scheme is now open to any employer who is looking to create high quality, 6-month work placements for young people aged 16-24, who are claiming Universal Credit.

The Government will fully fund each 'Kickstart' job, paying 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week plus employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. In addition, the government will pay £1,500 per job placement to cover setup costs, support and training.

For more information visit https://jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/kickstart/.