King Street, Whitehaven Grant Scheme
A grants scheme to help transform King Street in Whitehaven continues to be available.
Empty and dilapidated premises that cause an eyesore for the town centre have been identified as a key issue to tackle. The new Building Improvement Grants will support bringing vacant units back into use and improve the appearance of occupied properties.
The grants scheme is open to owners or businesses with properties on King Street. They can apply for a grant to help with the costs of improvements to their properties. For occupied properties owners or businesses can apply for a grant of 50% (up to a maximum of £5,000), for improvements to their shop fronts.
For vacant properties, grants of 50% (up to a maximum of £15,000) can be applied for, to improve the shop front and undertake internal works as well. The Cumberland Council grants are funded from Sellafield’s Social Impact Investment Fund.
Applications close on Tuesday 17th March. Anyone interested in applying for a grant is asked to send their contact details and property address to highstreetgrants@cumberland.gov.uk
Clear Pricing campaign launched
The Competition and Markets Authority has launched a Clear Pricing campaign to encourage UK businesses to be upfront, transparent and fair with their customers. The campaign includes a '3 Step Pricing Check' which businesses can use to check that their pricing practices are within the law and customers aren't faced with unexpected costs.
Read more about the campaign here
Update on Sustainable Farming Incentive for 2026
Defra has published an update on the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer for 2026. The SFI26 offer will be simpler, with fewer actions (71 actions, down from 102 in the SFI24 offer). The first application window will open in June 2026 and be open to both small farms and farms without an existing environmental land management (ELM) revenue agreement.
Read more about the update here
Small firms encouraged to join Cyber Essentials scheme
The Government has launched a new campaign to encourage organisations to protect themselves from common online threats. The campaign will encourage small and medium-sized businesses to join the Cyber Essentials scheme, which sets out clear and practical steps that can be taken to protect against common cyber threats. Cyber threats cost UK businesses £14.7 billion a year, with half of small firms experiencing one in the last 12 months.
You can read more about the campaign here
Defra ELM Capital grants coming later this year
Defra will be opening a new round of the main ELM Capital grants in July this year. These are payments that help cover the cost of one-off investments on farms. £225 will be available for tree planting, hedgerows restoration, natural flood management and improving water quality which is an increase compared to the £150 million available last year.
Defra will release detailed guidance and eligibility criteria on GOV.UK closer to the launch date so keep an eye out for further details.
Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2026
The application window for the next round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF 2026) will open on 17th March.
Guidance for FETF 2026 is now available on GOV.UK to help you prepare.
Funding available
A total of £50 million will be available to farmers, growers, foresters and their contractors to invest in equipment and technology.
Funding is split across 3 themes:
You can apply for a grant towards the cost of specific items from approved lists within these themes. In total, 290 items are eligible for funding.
Grants range from £1,000 to £25,000 per theme. You can apply for items under more than one theme, up to a combined maximum of £75,000.
Funders pay a percentage of the cost of each item. The exact amount depends on the item you choose. These items can cut costs, improve efficiency and protect profits.
You can find out more here
H&H Rural Bursary
H&H Group plc have recently launched the H&H Rural Matters Bursary, supporting the next generation of farmers across Cumbria.
Open to Cumbrians involved in farming or the agricultural sector aged 25-35 years, the £3,000 bursary will fund practical projects or training to help develop skills, education and farm businesses.
Applicants are required to submit proposals outlining their plans and funding needs.
Full details, eligibility criteria and deadlines can be found here
