Cumberland Leaflet Swap Shop
| Cumberland Council is inviting you to join its first leaflet swap shop which will take place on Monday 25 March 2024, at Solway Hall in Whitehaven. All tourism and hospitality businesses, within Cumberland Council, are welcome to join the free event.
If you ever struggle to suggest activities, accommodation, or attractions to your customers, then this event is perfect for you. The event gives businesses a chance to network with businesses within the Western Lake District and Coast. And, of course, you will be able to exchange leaflets with businesses. Building connections with like-minded businesses is a great way to keep visitors in our area. The event will take place between 11am and 2pm. Each business will be allocated a table to display their leaflets. Businesses are welcome to bring a backdrop, but it is not essential. The doors will open at 10.30am to begin setting up your stand and the event will begin at 11am. Free food and refreshments will be provided on the day. The event is free, and businesses must sign up to be able to attend. The deadline for the business sign up is at 12pm on Thursday 21 March. You can sign up by completing a small online form. |
Funding Readiness Programme
Many founders and entrepreneurs are confused by the funding options available to them and to help them navigate the funding landscape better. In partnership with Capital Enterprise Barclays Eagle Labs have designed a programme to help to demystify funding and to provide founders with the skills and knowledge they need to fund their business growth.
Applications close 22 March – Find out more here
Another chance to join UCLan’s Help to Grow programme
UCLan’s first cohort of local businesses has just completed this 12-week course that includes online and face-to-face sessions, 10 hours of 1 to 1 mentoring with industry experts as well as peer to peer sessions. They’ve had some fantastic feedback – find out what participants thought about their experience.
Whether you need to identify more efficient ways of working, target new markets, or create a plan to take your business and team to the next level, the Help to Grow: Management course provides the knowledge and support you need.
UCLan are pleased to announce that they will be welcoming another group of leaders from businesses with 5+ employees and registrations are now open. Could you benefit from Help to Grow?
Dates: 15 April – 17 July 2024
Location: Online and in-person at the University of Central Lancashire Preston Campus
Cost: 90% of the course fee is funded by the Government, meaning you pay just £750 per person
How to register: Contact UCLan to find out more or book your place.
The Help to Grow programme is aimed at businesses ranging from between 5 and 249 employees, from any sector. The business must have been trading for over 12 months and the participant must be part of the Leadership team.
National Living Wage
From 1 April 2024, the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) will increase.
From this date, the NLW will reach £11.44 per hour – a rise of £1.02 per hour or a 9.8% increase.
The eligibility age for the NLW has been lowered, making all workers aged 21 and over eligible for this higher rate.
Furthermore, the NMW rates for younger workers and apprentices will also see changes:
- For 18-20-year-olds, the rate will rise to £8.60 per hour (up 14.8%).
- For 16-17-year-olds, the new rate will be £6.40 per hour (up 21.2%).
- The Apprenticeship rate will increase to £6.40 per hour (up 21.2%).
These updates necessitate a review and adjustment of your payroll processes to comply with the new wage standards and eligibility requirements.
Click here to find out more
| Tech in Further Education campaign
The Department for Education has launched their Teach in Further Education (FE) campaign. The campaign aims to inspire industry professionals to share their skills with the next generation by becoming a part-time FE teacher, alongside their current job or commitments. Further education is any formal learning for those aged 16+ that is not a degree and includes vocational learning courses across a wide range of sectors, often taught in real working environments to help prepare learners for work. Through leading by example, business leaders can inspire and enable their colleagues to consider teaching in FE. To download the toolkit click here Policies recommended to encourage growth The British Chambers of Commerce has recommended 16 policies that could transform the UK’s growth potential by empowering businesses, communities and local government. The policies include devolving more powers to regional and local government, expanding the Banking Hub model and reforming business rates. Read more about the policies here Brexit has cost food exporters £170m Exporters sending food products to the EU have had to pay an additional £170 million in costs due to Brexit red tape. The additional costs are described as being catastrophic for some exporters. Read more about the additional costs here Support for farming industry The Government has announced a £15 million fund to help tackle food waste by enabling farmers to redistribute surplus food that cannot be used commercially. In addition, an annual UK-wide Food Security Index will be created to capture the data needed to monitor levels of food security. Read more about the announcements here Planning permission required for holiday lets The Government has announced changes to the planning system in England which would introduce a new use class for short-term holiday lets. A mandatory national register will also be introduced to give local authorities the information they need about short-term lets in their area. Read more about the changes here Cumbria Tourism helping to kickstart careers in tourism or hospitality A new fund through Cumbria Community Foundation is giving people age 16 and over who live and are studying or training in Cumbria the support to build their dream careers. Funding can be used to pay for specialist equipment, travelling, study materials, and the course itself. To apply for the grant click here |