Small grants for equipment purchases
Businesses in Cumberland are being given the opportunity to apply for small grants of an average £4,000 – £5,000 (max £10,000) for equipment purchase.
It’s a simple one stage process – to request an application email info@cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk
Kick Start Fund
Back for a second round, BEC have launched Kick Start Funding for 2024/2025.
Do you have an idea that will benefit local communities? Do you want to get your project off the ground?
The Kick Start Fund is now open to anyone who has a project that aligns itself with the below priorities.
- Health & wellbeing
- Training & employment
- Activities for young people
For more information and to apply click here
Business Finance Week is back
Whether an established business or looking to grow, finding information and guidance around finance can be complex and challenging for smaller businesses. Business Finance Week has been designed to help these businesses, as well as the organisations and people that support them, to understand the different finance options available to support their individual business needs.
Running from 24th September to 3rd October there’s lots of activity taking place. Click here to see the full schedule of events/webinars
Report highlights skills needed for industrial strategy
Make UK and the Trades Union Congress have published a report which highlights the skills needed to support an industrial strategy. Report recommendations include reforms to the Apprenticeship Levy, tax reliefs for training and an increase in the availability of careers advice and Statutory Sick Pay.
Read more about the report here
Glass bottle levy to be introduced
The beer and pub sector has warned the Government that a new packaging levy on glass beer bottles could lead to increased costs being passed on to customers. From 2025, the levy will add between 3p and 7p on a 330ml bottle of beer and 9p on a 500ml bottle.
Read more about the levy here
Skills Academy
Inspira are now taking referrals for the next Skills Academy which is due to start 9th Oct at the Inspira Offices, Civic Hall, Whitehaven.
The programme needs commitment from each individual for the 5 weeks, which includes a Level 2 Business Administration qualification.
Upon completion of the academy, there are guaranteed interviews, in various roles within the PPP and the wider supply chain.
Eligibility Criteria –
- Need to aged 19+ as of 31.8.24
- Unemployed claiming benefits, self-employed or employed earning below £25,000 annual gross salary (bear in mind need to commit for the duration)
Please complete the referral form Adult Skills Referral Form V3 and forward any referrals for consideration, along with an up-to-date CV to either Alison.Musgrave@inspira.org.uk or Sarah.Peat@inspira.org.uk
Click here to look at the PPP flyer showing the internship journey.
New rules for eVisas – employer events
The Home Office has produced a partner pack for employers explaining the new rules for eVisas. The pack includes a factsheet, information for staff, suggested email copy and other resources.
They are also an online eVisa information event for employers running online, click the link below to find out more:
Free banking dispute resolution scheme closes soon
Act now before the free banking dispute resolution scheme closes on Friday 13th December 2024.
Businesses with an unresolved banking complaint are urged to check the Business Banking Resolution Service’s website to see if they are eligible for free dispute resolution support before it’s too late.
The Business Banking Resolution Service (BBRS) is a free to use, not-for profit dispute resolution service. It was set up to help those which are too large to use the Financial Ombudsman Service for Businesses and which have an unresolved banking complaint from after 2019 with one of its seven participating banks: Barclays Bank, Danske Bank, HSBC UK, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Santander UK and Virgin Money.
The BBRS’s Contemporary Scheme is scheduled to close to new registrations, as planned, on Friday 13 December 2024, so business owners have just over 3 months left to register.
To benefit from this free resource click here to find out more.
Acorn Marketing Academy Marketing Mentoring Programme
Introducing the Acorn Marketing Academy Marketing Mentoring Programme – designed specifically for small business owners who are looking for support, guidance, and accountability with their marketing.
Go from feeling overwhelmed, to in control and understand how to take your marketing to the next level.
Develop a clear, actionable marketing strategy, connect with a group of peers facing similar challenges, gain insights and advice from a marketing expert, learn foundational marketing skills to boost your business and stay on track with monthly challenges and group support.
You also get access to the Acorn Marketing online learning hub with courses, masterclasses, downloads and tutorials.
For more information click here
Barclays Eagle Labs Funding Readiness Programme
Barclays Eagle Labs Funding Readiness Programme – Season 13 Autumn 2024 is now open for applications
The Funding Readiness Programme is designed to demystify funding options available to entrepreneurs and provide them with the skills and knowledge needed to fund business growth.
Participants will join an exclusive community with access to webinars, interactive workshops, networking events and written resources.
Sessions will cover the basics of grant funding, crowdfunding, equity investment as well as other funding options.
The programme has been designed to be flexible and participants can choose the sessions they wish to join based on what is relevant to them and their business, as well as the ability to catch up on sessions they may have missed.
For more details click here
Cumbria’s first ever Marketing Summit for local businesses
Cumbria is set to host its first-ever Marketing Summit to support and empower local businesses. The Marketing Summit Cumbria, scheduled for Friday 18th October at Furness College, aims to provide small and medium-sized businesses with the tools, strategies, and insights they need to thrive in today’s competitive market.
The Marketing Summit Cumbria is a jam-packed day of marketing for business, dedicated to empowering small and medium-sized businesses in the region with the knowledge and skills to succeed in today’s competitive landscape. Hosted by MN Consulting, the summit features 6 expert-led sessions, an interactive Q&A panel, and networking opportunities designed to support local business growth.
For more information and to register for the 2024 Marketing Summit Cumbria click here
Heart health checks in the workplace
Cumberland Council have been awarded a share of £317k to provide free cardiovascular checks to employees in their workplace.
The government announced on Friday 30 August that the council has been successful in its bid with Westmorland and Furness Council to be part of the pilot project.
The council will now be working with its partner, Cumbria Health, to roll-out the checks to as many workplaces as possible across Cumberland.
Click here to read more
Back to business with Barclays Eagle Labs
Barclays Eagle Labs are hosting Virtual events, free learning resources and business growth programmes
Designing for moments of high emotional impact – Michael Heins, Co-founder of More Yum Studios, will discuss how the way your brand makes your customers feel can be a big distinguishing factor when it comes to purchasing your products and establishing an ongoing relationship.
18 September, 12pm
Success metrics and carbon goals – turning vision into action – Puja Balachander, Director of Venture at Carbon13, will delve into defining and measuring traction metrics and using them to guide your execution. She will introduce you to a framework you can use to do this for your business. Learn how to effectively use these metrics as a tool to steer the way you do business – driving your venture towards success.
26 September 12pm
Lancaster University – Cyber Works
Cyber Works offers a range of impactful and innovative opportunities for knowledge exchange between businesses, and security and protection sciences at Lancaster University.
Traditionally, cyber security has been an afterthought – a reactive measure after an attack or breach has taken place.
However, Cyber Works explore where innovation meets resilience, implementing simple yet effective controls to enable proactive risk mitigation and ultimately accelerated growth.
Cyber Resilience Workshop
Designed to help SMEs based in the North West to implement a cyber resilient strategy that can strengthen their defences, secure their operations against potential threats and help grow their business with confidence.
- 1-day workshop
- Develop your cyber security strategy to innovate and grow
- Discover the risks and opportunities within your supply chain
- Gain insights into the latest cyber threats with real-world examples
- Receive impartial, essential and actionable cyber security guidance
Upcoming workshop dates:
Cumbria: Wed 25 Sept | 9:30-16:30 – NWA Junction 36, Crooklands
Lancashire: Thu 3 Oct | 9:30-16:30 – Lancaster University
HMRC project to understand rural challenges
HMRC is seeking insights from self-employed people in rural areas to better understand the challenges they face. These include limited internet access and lack of confidence in using computers for financial management. The insights will help ensure that HMRC’s services are inclusive and accessible.
Read more about the project here
Smaller businesses relying on apps to run their business
A study has found that three quarters of sole traders and small businesses rarely send invoices by post and instead use apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Microsoft Teams. More than half believe that using traditional methods of communication and invoicing would be more time consuming.
Read more about the study here
Treasury considering increase in employer NICs
A senior Treasury minister has hinted that the Chancellor is reviewing the possibility of raising the employer rate of National Insurance contributions (NICs) from the current 13.8%. However, a 1% increase is only likely to result in an extra £1 billion in tax per year.
Read more about the potential increase here
Businesses face increase in energy bills
The Government has been urged to intervene and prevent businesses struggling with gas and electricity costs from going bust. The average annual electricity bill for a small business is forecast to be £13,264 from April 2025, which is 70% higher than before the energy crisis.
Read more about the increase here
Young people’s travel grant for education and training launches
Young people can apply for grants to support travel to education and training.
Westmorland and Furness Council’s £300,000 16-19 Education Travel Bursary programme is aimed at supporting 16 to 19-year-olds to pay for transport for education and training, ensuring travel costs are not a barrier to young people achieving their potential.
The fund is not means-tested and can be used for buses, trains, taxis, fuel costs for private transport, or bicycle.
Improvements to the scheme this year include an increase from 11 pence per mile to 13 pence per mile to cover fuel costs and an increase from £100 to £400 for students buying a bike to cycle.
The scheme closes on 1 November. Successful applicants from last year whose education or training is continuing this year will have already been contacted.
Council recognised as a Disability Confident Leader
Westmorland and Furness Council has been officially recognised as a Disability Confident Leader by the UK Government’s Disability Confident scheme.
This prestigious status is a testament to the council’s commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for people with disabilities, both within the organisation and in the wider community.
Achieving the Disability Confident Leader status represents the highest level of recognition within the Disability Confident scheme. It signifies that the organisation has not only met, but exceeded the standards required to create a workplace where people with disabilities can thrive.
Free event for landlords and letting agents
Landlords and letting agents are being offered free advice and information at a networking event hosted by Cumberland Council.
Property owners and agents will have the opportunity to meet and discuss the latest changes in housing law and legislation and ask experts questions.
The event will take place on Thursday 26 September, from 10.30am to 1.00pm, at Carlisle Civic Centre and is free of charge.
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) will be updating landlords and letting agents on legislative updates and changes within the rented sector following the general election.
To find out more click here
HMRC targeting incorrect CIS deductions
HMRC is issuing letters to Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) contractors where its records indicate the contractor may not have applied the correct deductions. The letter urges contractors to verify the CIS tax status of their sub-contractors within 45 days of receipt.
Read more about the letter here
Privacy notice generator tool launched
The ICO has launched a new tool to help sole traders and small organisations create a bespoke privacy notice. The tool includes sections relevant to a range of sectors, including retail, manufacturing, legal, childcare and charities.
Read more about the tool here
Mandatory refresher training for security guards
From 1 April 2025, door supervisors and security guards will be required to undertake refresher training to renew their licence. The refresher qualifications will be available from 1 October 2024, and the Security Industry Association is encouraging affected licence holders to take the training as soon as possible.
Read more about the training here
Two free training sessions for Cumberland businesses
Cumbria Tourism is offering tourism-related businesses free training to support their growth and development as part of Cumberland Council’s SPF funded ‘itineraries project’ designed to showcase the very best of what Cumberland has to offer:
Media training Wednesday 18 September (10am to 4pm) – The Fleece at Ruleholme, Carlisle
Learn the tricks of the trade and maximise your publicity. Led by experienced former broadcast journalists, this interactive training session will give your spokespeople the skills and confidence when dealing with broadcast interviews.
Working with the Travel Trade and Attracting Groups Monday 30 September (11am to 1pm) – The Rum Story, Whitehaven
Looking to increase year-round sales or attract new business? Led by an industry expert, this introductory session is aimed at businesses who are new to working with the travel trade and would like to find out more about attracting coaches and groups.
Taking England to the World
Cumbria Tourism is working with VisitEngland to offer local tourism businesses a FREE one day market-leading training session.
Taking place at the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal on Thursday 19th September (9.30am to 5pm) this course is aimed at suppliers from all sectors of the English travel industry, from accommodation and attractions to excursions and experience providers.
You’ll cover:
- Inbound tourism – value, opportunities, market behaviours and trends
- Defining your product offering, pricing and distribution
- Building powerful relationships with the travel trade
- Digital marketing and content creation
To find out more and book your place click here
Sellafield Supply Chain Forum
Registration is open for Sellafield’s next Supply Chain Forum taking place on Wednesday 18th September at Ingwell Hall, Westlakes Science Park from 9am to 3pm.
This is an opportunity to network with a range of suppliers and Sellafield Ltd contacts. There will be opportunities for suppliers to give one-minute pitches, along with presentations from a wide range of subject matter experts.
Registration is open until 17th September – click here to register your interest.
Opportunity to increase your supply chain
Spirit Energy and the Morecambe Net Zero project are actively seeking supply chain partners to define and execute verification and assurance activity.
The contract will support the MNZ project to validate and assure a robust technical solution and engineering. Initially, this will be through the pre-FEED and FEED stages of the project, with options to provide design verification through detailed design and execute along with supply chain surveillance and witness. The tender is expected to be issued on November 2024.
Click here to visit the North Sea Transition Authority’s Energy Pathfinder portal
Supply chain update – changes to public sector procurement
If you currently supply goods, works or services to Cumberland or Westmorland & Furness Council, or hope to do so in the future, then you need to know about the forthcoming changes.
In October a new Procurement Act will come into force that will benefit suppliers of all sizes, but particularly start-ups, scale-ups and small businesses.
Some of the benefits are:
- There will be a central digital platform for all suppliers to register and store their details on so that they can be used for multiple bids, and see all opportunities, from all public sector organisations, in one place.
- Simplified bidding processes will make it easier to bid, negotiate and work in partnership with the public sector.
- Commercial frameworks will be more flexible, so prospective suppliers are not shut out for long periods of time.
- The Act will remove bureaucratic barriers and level the playing field for smaller businesses so they can compete for more contracts.
- There will be prompt payment for more businesses in public sector supply chains.
- And a stronger exclusions framework will take tougher action on underperforming suppliers.
- Buyers will have to consider the barriers facing smaller businesses and that obstacles will be removed around provision of accounts and insurance at the bidding stage.
These changes will drive innovation, deliver better outcomes and embed transparency right through the commercial lifecycle, so everyone can access procurement data and see how money is spent.
To learn more please watch the supplier knowledge drops on the UK Government website
Improvements to Town Centres and High Streets
City centres and high street retail centres serve as crucial economic and cultural hubs across the country, attracting residents, workers and visitors alike.
Cumberland Council recognise the need to support our high streets in this challenging economic context, by providing businesses and organisations with the confidence to invest in high street property again.
- Our High Street Building Grant Scheme, funded by government, has two separate priorities:
- Priority A will focus on supporting landlords and new or existing businesses taking up an empty property. Giving grants of up to 50% of the costs (max £35,000) of eligible works to improve the property.
- Priority B will focus on support to landlords and new or existing businesses requiring funding to do facelift works to their properties. Grants of 50% of the costs (max £5,000) can be applied for.
Funding is available to landlords and businesses within the centre boundaries of Aspatria, Brampton, Carlisle, Cleator Moor, Cockermouth, Dalston, Egremont, Keswick, Longtown, Maryport, Millom, Silloth, Whitehaven, Wigton and Workington.
This is a discretionary grant for businesses that can demonstrate that they contribute to the vitality of the high street. Grants will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
To find out more and apply click here
Self-Assessment tax returns
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has shared some information about filing Self-Assessment tax returns online and the additional features offered to customers using this digital service. Self Assessment is a digital process.
You can set up your Government Gateway account, register for Self Assessment, complete and submit the Self Assessment forms, and set up a payment plan to pay any tax owed.
HMRC offers a wide range of resources to help customers including helpful videos on YouTube and the Self Assessment checker tool. This can help people work out if they need to complete a tax return.
Westmorland & Furness Council launch new grant funding tool
If you are a local business or community organisation looking for funding, a new grant finding tool is here to help.
This dedicated webpage on the Council’s website allows communities and businesses to search a national database of available funding, including grants from the council.
Start exploring today and take your projects to the next level!