Cumbria Employer Skills Survey 2025
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce are working with Skills England and local authorities to improve our understanding of how skills, training and recruitment is affecting employers.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8GPF7W6
It would be greatly appreciated if you could take a short amount of time to complete the survey above to contribute your views on these important issues. There is also the opportunity to participate in a focus group to discuss further. Responses will also feed into the forthcoming refresh of the Cumbria Local Skills Improvement Plan, for which the Chamber is the designated Employer Representative Body.
The survey will take between 10 and 15 minutes to complete.
Save the date – Conference Cumbria 2026
Conference Cumbria will return on 1st October 2026 to the Pencil Factory in Keswick. Our keynote speaker will be announced early 2026 and we’ll be working on the theme and other speakers/panellists.
Feedback from this year’s event blew us away so if you only attend one event next year make sure its Conference Cumbria!
Guide to help unemployed people start businesses
A new guide to support and encourage unemployed people to set up a business has been launched by Start Up Loans, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HMRC. The Fresh Start Guide will be distributed via over 600 jobcentres and 25,000 specialist work coaches. The guide will also be used by companies making large-scale redundancies and shared with around 200 external organisations working with the DWP.
Read more about the guide here
Tools to support AI adoption
Skills England has launched three new tools to support wider and more responsible AI adoption. The AI Skills Framework will help identify relevant skills needed for different job roles. The AI Skills Adoption Pathway Model will help organisations progress through the different stages of AI adoption. The Employer AI Adoption Checklist will help employers assess their AI skills readiness.
Read more about the tools here
Changes to charity accounting framework
In January 2026, a new accounting framework for charities will be introduced. The framework will apply to all UK charities and will make charities' financial reporting more proportionate. Alongside the framework, the Government has also announced that the threshold for some charities to produce accrual accounts will double from £250,000 to £500,000.
Read more about the changes here
New Game Changers Challenge Opportunity - Innovative Solutions for BEPO Reactor Decommissioning
Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) is seeking innovative technology solutions to support the decommissioning of the British Experimental Pile 0 (BEPO) reactor at Harwell, focusing on Access, Dismantling & Materials Handling, Waste, and Digital Solutions. BEPO provides a low-risk testbed for novel approaches that could be scaled across the UK’s wider nuclear fleet of over 50 reactors. NRS is looking for solutions that are safe, cost-effective, and adaptable to diverse decommissioning environments. This challenge aims to accelerate smarter, faster, and safer reactor decommissioning through technologies not yet adopted in the industry.
Deadline for applications: 3pm (GMT), Thursday 27th November 2025. Find out more and access the challenge statement here
UK risks falling behind in race to Net Zero
A new British Chambers of Commerce report has highlighted that the UK risks falling behind in the global green innovation race because of significant barriers to low-carbon investment.
The report sets out 15 practical recommendations to boose green growth.
These include improving access to innovation funding, developing a national green skills map, delivering grid connection reform and more.
The call for stronger innovation funding is central to the BCC’s Budget submission ahead of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.
You can read the full report here
New fund inspired by gingerbread creator
A new fund has been set up with Cumbria Community Foundation, inspired by the creator of the iconic Cumbrian treat, Grasmere Gingerbread. The Sarah Nelson Fund will give out grants of up to £5,000.
The fund will prioritise projects that help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness; improve education for children and adults; encourage creative and sustainable business ideas; or tackle food poverty. These four themes reflect the life of Sarah Nelson, who overcame poverty through resilience, creativity, and community spirit.
Read more about the fund here
Scheme for young entrepreneurs is back
A scheme to help people aged 14 to 25 in West Cumbria go into business is back for the fourth year - and this time it’s open to young people in Furness too.
Those chosen to take part in the Positive Enterprise programme will receive a grant of £1,000 to spend on business start-up costs, mentoring from an experienced businessperson, and skills and leadership development opportunities. Cumbria Community Foundation are also seeking volunteer mentors from the business community.
Read more about the fund here
Working together to create career opportunities
A new fund has been created to help people into employment in West Cumbria, thanks to a partnership of companies who deliver major infrastructure projects at Sellafield.
The Programme and Project Partners (PPP) Social Impact Fund – managed by Cumbria Community Foundation, and funded by Kellogg Brown and Root Ltd, Amentum Clean Energy Ltd, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, and Altrad Babcock Ltd – will provide grants to help people into work. The first grant was awarded to Goodlives towards salary costs for a Project Trainer who will support adults to improve their skills and self-confidence and help with their job search.
Read more about the fund here
The Apprentice Series 21 - Applications Now Open
Lord Sugar has already invested over £3,000,000 in business start-ups through The Apprentice.
Could you be his next investment? If you think you've got the talent and confidence to impress Britain's toughest backer, the process starts here.
The winning candidate will receive an investment of up to £250,000 and will go into a 50:50 business with Lord Sugar.
Fighting it out for his investment candidates will take part in twelve tough tasks to win one life-changing opportunity.
Scan the QR code to which links to the application form
Greater protection for small firms in energy market
The Government has announced new measures to prevent small businesses from being exploited when dealing with energy brokers and price comparison sites. Ofgem will be appointed to regulate brokers and comparison sites to ensure that small businesses can save money on their bills through improved competition and lower commissions.
Read more about the measures here
New mandate for British Business Bank
The Government has set out a new mandate for the British Business Bank. The mandate confirms the bank's critical role in supporting the Government's growth mission by helping smaller businesses access the finance they need to start, scale and stay in the UK. The British Business Bank will also be tasked with delivering real change in the availability of finance for smaller businesses across the UK.
Read more about the mandate here
New Game Changers Challenge Opportunity - Needlestick and puncture-resistant materials
Sellafield Ltd is seeking innovative materials with enhanced needlestick and puncture resistance to improve operator safety during nuclear decommissioning. The challenge focuses on developing next-generation solutions for gauntlets, containment bags, and lay-down sheets used to handle sharp or contaminated materials within gloveboxes and other confined environments. Proposed materials must deliver superior puncture protection while maintaining dexterity, flexibility, and durability without adding excessive bulk or weight. Solutions demonstrating strong evidence of protective performance and scalability for manufacturing are encouraged.
A live webinar with the challenge owners will be held at 2pm (GMT) on Tuesday 18th November 2025.
Deadline for applications: 3pm (GMT), Tuesday 2nd December 2025. Find out more and access the challenge statement here
Calling all women with a business Idea
The Women in Entrepreneurship Fund is now open to support ideas and early stage businesses founded by women, helping them turn their business ideas into reality.
The fund offers grants of up to £2,500 and includes other support.
Closing soon you can find out more here
Government Launches £1 Million Fund To Boost Active Travel Innovation
The Department for Transport has announced a new £1 million Active Travel Innovation Fund, inviting small and medium-sized businesses to apply for grants of up to £100,000 to help more people walk, wheel, or cycle.
The fund aims to support creative projects that promote sustainable transport; from digital safety tools and community engagement schemes to partnerships that make active travel more inclusive and accessible.
Successful applicants will receive not only funding but also practical support from Active Travel England and the Government Grant Managed Service, helping them to measure impact and build partnerships.
The scheme forms part of the government’s Plan for Change, backing innovation to drive local growth, improve public health, and ease pressure on the NHS.
You can learn more and apply online here
New Game Changers Challenge Opportunity - Immobilising spring hanger assemblies
Nuclear Restoration Services Ltd (NRS) is seeking innovative solutions to safely immobilise spring hanger assemblies during the decommissioning of former Magnox nuclear power stations. These assemblies, including larger constant load spring hangers, contain significant stored energy and pose a risk of high-speed projectile failure if released. Solutions must support suspended ducting and structures while spring hangers are removed, maintain stability over extended decommissioning periods, and ideally minimise the need for scaffolding or allow remote deployment.
Deadline for applications: 3pm (GMT), Tuesday 18th November 2025. Find out more and access the challenge statement here.
New Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme delayed
The new Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme for England is not expected to open until spring 2026. This is because the budget for 2025/26 has already been spent. IT issues and ministerial changes also contributed to the delay which could result in farmers facing significant cashflow shortfalls in 2026.
Read more about the delay here
