UK must reform for challenging new trade era
BCC’s new Global Britain report is urging the government to get the UK match fit for a more fractious era in trade.
The trade and investment report is the second to come from the BCC’s Global Britain Challenge group, as part of their ‘Future of the Economy’ initiative. It draws on expertise from businesses of all sizes, academia, Chambers and think-tanks.
The report has 26 recommendations focussed on export growth, trade alliances, investment and economic diplomacy, regulatory reform and infrastructure.
The top asks include:
Energy Ombudsman extends access to small businesses
Small businesses with up to 50 employees are now eligible to access Energy Ombudsman’s independent dispute resolution services for the first time.
Energy Ombudsman, approved by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), provides a free and impartial service that aims to resolve disputes between consumers, suppliers and brokers in the energy sector.
The expanded remit will allow small businesses to resolve disputes with energy suppliers and energy brokers without resorting to costly and time-consuming court proceedings.
Click here to read more
Get Involved with Age-Friendly Cumberland!
Are you passionate about making Cumberland a better place for people aged 50+? Cumberland Council is seeking enthusiastic individuals to be:
This is your chance to shape our community and create a positive impact for generations to come.
Apply now by completing the form here- deadline 27th January 2025
Let’s build a more inclusive Cumberland, together!
Personal safety app launched
Through the Cumberland Community Safety Partnership, Cumberland Council are funding and backing WalkSafe – an app which will help people get home safely in Carlisle.
The free app helps people plot the safest route, and can allow friends or family to know where they are. There is also a button to quickly access an emergency contact, and a list of the nearest venues operating the ‘Ask Angela’ safety scheme.
You can download the WalkSafe app on the App store or at Google Play.
Read more here
Apprenticeship Awards 2025
Carlisle College Apprenticeship Awards (Sponsored by Persimmon Homes) returns for 2025 on Thursday 27th March 2025.
This year, there are 2 new categories with Best Workplace Mentor and Outstanding Achievement at End Point Assessment joining the line up of awards.
Nominations are now open for you to nominate your apprentice for the Employer Choice award and apprentices will also this year be able to nominate their workplace mentor.
DEADLINE: MIDNIGHT - 24th January 2025
Nominate your apprentice here!
Code Institute - Skills Bootcamps
Running in January this Skills Bootcamp introduces data analytics fundamentals for domain experts looking to drive business impact through data-driven decisions. The course is aimed at people who are not data savvy but who are looking to drive business impact through data driven decisions.
Key topics include descriptive statistics, data cleaning and analysis in Excel, and advanced visualisation with Power BI. Participants will also explore data readiness, business alignment, responsible data management practices, and GDPR compliance.
With hands-on exercises and a focus on practical application, this program equips professionals to align analytics initiatives with business goals and deliver actionable insights.
You can read more about the Skills Bootcamp here
UK company size thresholds to increase
From April 2025, the company size thresholds for micro, small and medium-sized businesses will increase. The Government estimates that the increase will result in around 113,000 companies and LLPs moving from the small to micro-entity category and therefore benefiting from a reduction in reporting and audit requirements.
Read more about the increase here
Disability Confident Manager’s Guide
In 2024 DWP published the updated Disability Confident Manager’s Guide with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, to help managers support disabled people at work.
The guidance aims to provide support for managers in recruiting, retaining and fostering the progression of employees with a disability or a long-term health condition.
The new guidance details how businesses can attract a wide range of applicants and onboard new employees with a disability, as well as how managers should deal with confidentiality around disabilities, and the support that can be offered to help with career progression. It contains information on managers’ legal responsibilities to support people with a disability or long-term health condition at work, as well as what language to use in relation to, and when speaking to, people with a disability.
The guidance also explains how managers can make and review reasonable adjustments and consider flexible working, while also dealing with sickness absence effectively.
You can read the new guide here
Royal National Institute of Blind People - Visibly Better Employer quality standard.
To help with both recruitment and retention of staff, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) are offering employers the opportunity to work with them to become better and more inclusive employers for people with sight loss.
As an employer, in aligning your working practices to the RNIB Visibly Better Employer quality standard, you will open vacancies to a wider pool of candidates and ensure that any existing employees with sight loss are supported to stay in work.
This quality standard is complementary to the Disability Confident scheme. There is no cost to employers for the RNIB to carry out an initial assessment.
To find out more, employers can contact the RNIB Team at: VisiblyBetterEmployer@rnib.org.uk or have a look on their website where you’ll find further details, including information from employers who have achieved the Visibly Better Employer standard.
New business growth service
The Government has announced plans for a new Business Growth Service to make it easier and quicker for small and medium-sized businesses to find government advice and support. The service, launching this year, will be an integral part of the Government's Small Business Strategy.
Read more about the service here
HMRC support for small businesses
HMRC has launched an interactive online tool and clearer guidance for the self-employed and those considering self-employment. The tool explains the records they may need to keep, taxes that may apply to their business, and includes other useful information, such as how to pay a tax bill.
Read more about the online tool here
Global Incubator Programme: Singapore – Advanced Manufacturing 2025
Innovate UK invites companies with expertise in Advanced Manufacturing to participate in a Global Incubator Programme in Singapore.
The Global Incubator Programme is an acceleration programme for innovative businesses to work with world leading incubators abroad.
Innovate UK are currently accepting applications for up to eight innovative companies in the Advanced Manufacturing technology sector to join SDTA’s Global Incubator in Singapore.
Click here to read more – the closing date for applications is 20th January and the online application form can be downloaded here
UK Export Academy Events
Grow your export knowledge with Essentials sessions or build on your existing skills with Masterclasses, Sector and Market events.
You can view the full programme here
Free webinar: Making post Brexit EU business easier and more cost-efficient
Are you looking for ways to circumvent the additional costs and hassle when exporting goods to the EU? If so, join a free webinar and hear from Adri Verhagen the owner of Netherlands based Adri Verhagen Consulting, who will provide a step-by-step guide on how businesses in the UK can trade more seamlessly and cost-efficiently with the EU.
Taking place on Monday 20th January from 1pm to 2pm click here to register
Green Growth Awards – win £5,000 for your business!
The Green Growth Awards are a new nationwide competition, run by Small Business Britain in partnership with BT Group, celebrating small businesses that have successfully used sustainability to innovate and drive business growth.
This is your opportunity to showcase how sustainable practices have positively impacted your bottom line, whether through cost savings, waste reduction and recycling, customer engagement, or creative solutions.
Two winning businesses will receive £5,000 each to reinvest in their sustainability journey!
To find out more and apply now click here - deadline for entries is 31st January.
Cumbria Connection Calls
Join Barclays Eagle Lab on 29th January at 11am for the first of their monthly Cumbria Connection Calls. Held on the last Wednesday of each month, the call will be hosted by the Cumbrian Eagle Labs team. You’ll be updated with news from Eagle Labs and hear from guest speakers.
To book your place click here
Current grant funding available through Cumbria Community Foundation
There are a number of funds currently open for applications including:
To find out more click here
Public Services hub
Are you a social enterprise or charity looking to apply for government contracts?
The Public Services Hub contains resources for both VCSEs (voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations) and commissioners, helping them work together to increase the positive social and environmental impact of public sector contracts.
You can also access case studies with practical examples from social enterprises and charities of their experiences winning and delivering contracts for central government departments.
Visit the Hub by clicking here
Join our growing business directory
As part of our newly refreshed Cumbria Business Growth Hub website, you can now list your business for free on our ever growing business directory.
The directory is designed to help you to link up with a wide range of Cumbrian businesses, from leading accountants and solicitors to award winning food & drink producers and retailers. Search our listings to find your perfect match.
Businesses who feature in our directory have discovered it’s a great way to raise their profiles, develop contacts and stimulate sales. If you’d like your business to be listed, register for an account today!
If you’d like your business or organisation to have a more prominent category listing, we can also offer a ‘featured business’ premium listing. Available to book at £50 (+ VAT) per month, this is a ‘first come/first served’ service that will help to get your business noticed in searches.
For more information, please contact us at info@cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk.
