Funding and useful resources - Cumbria Growth Hub

Strong Foundation Grant 2023 I Sellafield

Sir Robert McAlpine is a family-owned construction and civil engineering company, founded in 1869. In 2020, they launched the Strong Foundations Grant, aimed at supporting small charities and community organisations in and around their sires and offices.

For 2023, they are looking for projects that drive positive change and generate impact in their local communities. They’re not just passionate about shaping towns and cities and landscapes. They’re also committed to making a positive impact on communities and environments, and leaving a lastin legacy for generations to come. The Strong Foundations Grant will be available to those seeking funding or support for new ideas or existing projects, with an aim to drive positive change in the local area.

The Lakes Hospitality Trade Show 2024

The Lakes Hospitality Trade Show 2024 will be awarding marketing grants of up to £2,500 to a series of local event organisers as part of its commitment to re-directing the proceeds of the annual show back into the local economy.

To qualify for the funding, applicants must be planning an event between March 2024 and February 2025 somewhere in Cumbria. As part of the application process, you will need to complete a short form demonstrating how the event will achieve significant visitor impact for the area and benefit the wider Cumbrian economy.

To complete the application form click here – the deadline is Friday 24^th November.

Positive Enterprise – Applications open now!

Ever thought of starting your own business? CforLP is proud to be working in partnership with Cumbria Community Foundation to deliver Positive Enterprise for the second year.

What is it?

Positive Enterprise is a competition for young people in West Cumbria to help them turn an idea into a business.

Who can apply?

If you are aged between 14 and 25 and live in the former districts of Allerdale or Copeland and have a great idea, you can apply!

What support will I receive?

As well as receiving a £1,000 grant that you can spend on anything you need to establish your business, you’ll receive 6 months of support from CforLP and become part of our Learn2Lead programme for young people.

You’ll receive:

One-to-one coaching with CforLP
Expert support from a mentor
In person development workshops to help you with key skills such as time-management, confidence, marketing and more!
Online action learning sessions with your fellow particpants to help you problem-solve and connect as a group
Resources that will help you develop a business plan and make your business a reality!

How do I apply?

Take a look at the Application Pack before you apply here.
Application form can be found here.
For more information, see CCF’s website here.

You need to submit your application by 5pm on 3rd January 2024.

Advisory scheme to help AI and digital innovations

A pilot scheme will be launched in 2024 to help organisations demonstrate that their new artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovations meet regulatory requirements. The £2 million scheme will make it easier for businesses to get the help they need, by bringing together the different regulators involved in the oversight of AI and digital technologies.

Export toolkit for smaller businesses

The Department for Business and Trade has launched a toolkit to help small businesses export to the US. The toolkit includes sources of advice and support available in the UK to help businesses grow and export.

Toolkit to help manufacturers cut energy costs

The High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult has launched a pilot scheme to help small manufacturers cut energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions. The Manufacturing Energy Toolkit is a guided assessment which is carried out by HVM Catapult experts to create a better understanding of energy usage and sources. It will help small and medium-sized manufacturers save an average of 21% on their energy costs.

National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage – How much should apprentices be paid?

Employers have a legal responsibility to pay anyone aged 23 or over at least the National Living Wage, and to pay anyone younger at least the National Minimum Wage (NMW), the amount of which varies depending on age and employment status i.e., whether they are an apprentice or not.

National Living Wage

For workers aged 23 and over = £10.42

National Minimum Wage

For workers aged 21-22 = £10.18
For workers aged 18-20 = £7.49
For workers and apprentices aged 16-18 = £5.28
For apprentices aged 19 or over in their first year = £5.28
For apprentices aged 19 or over who have completed their first year = National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage for their age

Click here to find out more

Skills and Enterprise Partnership

Cumbria Business Growth Hub is supporting the Skills & Enterprise Partnership to deliver a two day programme – Starting A Business at Home.

30th & 31st October 2023 – 9.30am – 2.30pm followed by 1 to 1 support.

Venue: Civic Hall Whitehaven.

Click here to view the flyer and course overview

To book a place please email: Carol.pugh@cumberland.gov.uk

Applications to the Black Business Fund 2023 are now open

Enterprise Nation and Uber Eats are joining forces to support firms via the Black Business Fund. The fund gives Black-owned restaurants access to grants and business schemes that can help them boost their businesses.

The £250,000 fund will be distributed to Black-owned restaurants. Twenty-five restaurants will each receive £10,000, as well as access to business support from Enterprise Nation.

Find out more and apply by 15 November

Countryside Alliance Awards are open for nominations

The Countryside Alliance Awards, the ‘Rural Oscars’, are back and open to nominations. They reward the very best of our produce, enterprise, heritage, and communities. Nominated by the public, the Awards recognise and honour those who excel and go the extra mile for their community, and are deemed the rural business awards to win.

There are five categories in which your business can be nominated:

Local Food/Drink – Have they put the community on the map via the quality and diversity of local produce being sold?
Village Shop/ Post Office – Are they the cornerstone of the village, and breathed life into the community and local economy?
Butcher – Is traditional butchery at the heart of the enterprise with high regard for animal welfare and/or have they brought a modern twist to this ancient skill?
Rural Enterprise – Is this business a growing asset to its community and making a real contribution to the local economy?
Pub – Would winning this competition reward a really special enterprise and tell a positive story about rural life while championing local food and drink?

Nominations are open until Monday 13 November and are being accepted online. Regional Finalists will be announced in December and Regional Winners will be chosen by a public vote early next year. The Champions Reception will be held at the House of Lords in June 2024.

To find out more click here and to make a nomination click here

Measures to tackle late payments

The Government has announced tougher measures to tackle the issue of late payments to small businesses. The new measures include extending payment performance reporting obligations, providing advice to small businesses on negotiating payment terms and broadening the powers of the Small Business Commissioner.

Guidance on charging company-provided electric cars

HMRC has updated the guidance on the tax benefits relating to charging company-provided electric cars. The guidance states that HMRC accepts there is no taxable benefit where an employer reimburses their employee for the cost of charging a company-owned, wholly electric car that is available for private use.

Into Work grant – CITB

Into Work grant supports employers to provide the work experience element of post-16 further education courses to enable progression for individuals into the construction industry. This grant is split into two elements:

Completion of the work experience element of an approved further education course. The work experience must last a minimum of 1 week or 30 hours.
Completion of subsequent three-months direct employment (this can include employment as part of an apprenticeship). The employment must begin within 12 months of the work experience placement ending.

If the subsequent employment is an apprenticeship, you may also be eligible to separately apply for apprenticeship grants. See the Apprenticeship grants page for details of available support in this area.

To find out more contact Monica Costelloe, CITB Customer Engagement Advisor for Cumbria – 07768 208850 – monica.costelloe@citb.co.uk

New grants for video game developers

The UK Games Fund will receive an extra £5 million of government funding via scale-up grants. Studios and developers can apply for grants to help get games under development ready for market. The Fund will also continue awarding grants of up to £30,000 to young developers and early-stage studios to turn their drawing board ideas into working prototypes.

Project Gigabit

In Cumbria, UK Government awarded the Project Gigabit contract to Fibrus Ltd, who will be providing wholesale services on the publicly funded infrastructure under the brand Hyperfast GB. Alongside the deployment of Gigabit speed broadband, this contract is bringing many other benefits to our county. Some are detailed in the stories below:

More information on Project Gigabit in Cumbria can be found here

As Project Gigabit gains momentum across Cumbria, readers are urged to follow the Hyperfast GB website and their Facebook page for all the latest news and information.

Funds available through Innovate UK

There are a number of funds available through Innovate UK: