Online links to business help and advice
THERE ISN’T A business in the country that doesn’t need some form of money or help. Invariably, owners turn to the standard forms of finance and advice – the banks, credit companies or discount factors – if money is needed; management and recruitment consultants if it’s business or employment advice that they’re after.
There are hundreds of alternatives to the traditional sources, many of which are either free or subsidised, depending on the need, the sector of commerce the business is in and its geographic location. People just need to know where to look. Business Links are an excellent source of advice.
From advice on health and safety, IT and e-commerce and employment, to taxation, finance and marketing, the Business Link is a great resource. Even better, if you go to www.businesslink.gov.uk, you can find information on various programmes and projects that can help your business grow and thrive.
EMPLOYMENT
Employ Ability: Job Introduction Scheme
This scheme provides a grant towards the costs of employing a disabled person during the first six weeks of employment. The job can be either full or part-time and the maximum amount of the grant is £75 per week. However, the work trial must last for at least six months.
Although nationwide, the scheme is administered at a local level by disability employment advisors. Contact your local job centre to find the advisor for your area.
Visit www.dwp.gov.uk/employability
New Deal Employment Option: Employers’ Subsidy
Under this programme, businesses that take on new employees aged between 18 and 24 are offered a subsidy of up to £60 per week for six months, and up to £40 per week for a part-time post; with £750 also available towards the cost of training.
However, there is a catch; employees must attend an education establishment at least one day a week. There is a similar programme for those 25 or over. In this case, there is a weekly subsidy of £75 for six months for employers to help with the wage of a full-time employee and £50 for part-time employees. There is the option of offering a trial period to employees before taking them on, on a more permanent basis.
Visit www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Employers/advisoryservices/training/Dev_015796.xml.html
REGIONAL
Many programmes are nationally available, but there are plenty of projects that can help your business, depending where in the UK you are based. Here’s a sample list of what you can tap into.
New Entrepreneur Scholarships (England)
This programme aims to help those with a business idea with support, mentoring and funding. It’s available to individuals living in disadvantaged parts of England, to encourage business start-ups and growth.
The maximum available is £1,500 and to qualify you must live in one of the 1,250 most disadvantaged areas of England.
Individuals must be over 18 and have found it difficult in the past to access business support.
Visit www.nfea.com/index.htm?page=activities/nes.htm
Business development grants (West London)
Businesses in selected parts of West London could benefit from a range of funding arranged and co-ordinated by Park Royal Partnership. Grants are available to cover business development, improvements to premises and marketing communications, while Park Royal also offers advice on other financing options to help expand your business.
To qualify, businesses must be located in the Park Royal area of London, which includes the boroughs of Ealing, Brent and Hammersmith & Fulham.
However, the scheme is referred to as "assistance of last resort", meaning that you must have explored all possible commercial and public sector sources of funding first.
Visit www.parkroyal.org/business-support/grants.php
Accelerator Fund (South East England)
This is another regional scheme – for the south east of England – that provides loans to SMEs with the potential for significant growth. It offers sums between £25,000 and £100,000 for a three to seven year period (with capital repayment holidays available).
Businesses must have a completed business plan, including financial accounts and projections.
Visit www.financesoutheast.com
There are hundreds of alternatives to the traditional sources, many of which are either free or subsidised, depending on the need, the sector of commerce the business is in and its geographic location. People just need to know where to look. Business Links are an excellent source of advice.From advice on health and safety, IT and e-commerce and employment, to taxation, finance and marketing, the Business Link is a great resource. Even better, if you go to www.businesslink.gov.uk, you can find information on various programmes and projects that can help your business grow and thrive.
EMPLOYMENT
Employ Ability: Job Introduction Scheme
This scheme provides a grant towards the costs of employing a disabled person during the first six weeks of employment. The job can be either full or part-time and the maximum amount of the grant is £75 per week. However, the work trial must last for at least six months.
Although nationwide, the scheme is administered at a local level by disability employment advisors. Contact your local job centre to find the advisor for your area.
Visit www.dwp.gov.uk/employability
Under this programme, businesses that take on new employees aged between 18 and 24 are offered a subsidy of up to £60 per week for six months, and up to £40 per week for a part-time post; with £750 also available towards the cost of training.
However, there is a catch; employees must attend an education establishment at least one day a week. There is a similar programme for those 25 or over. In this case, there is a weekly subsidy of £75 for six months for employers to help with the wage of a full-time employee and £50 for part-time employees. There is the option of offering a trial period to employees before taking them on, on a more permanent basis.
Visit www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Employers/advisoryservices/training/Dev_015796.xml.html
REGIONAL
Many programmes are nationally available, but there are plenty of projects that can help your business, depending where in the UK you are based. Here’s a sample list of what you can tap into.
This programme aims to help those with a business idea with support, mentoring and funding. It’s available to individuals living in disadvantaged parts of England, to encourage business start-ups and growth.
The maximum available is £1,500 and to qualify you must live in one of the 1,250 most disadvantaged areas of England.
Individuals must be over 18 and have found it difficult in the past to access business support.
Visit www.nfea.com/index.htm?page=activities/nes.htm
Business development grants (West London)
Businesses in selected parts of West London could benefit from a range of funding arranged and co-ordinated by Park Royal Partnership. Grants are available to cover business development, improvements to premises and marketing communications, while Park Royal also offers advice on other financing options to help expand your business.
To qualify, businesses must be located in the Park Royal area of London, which includes the boroughs of Ealing, Brent and Hammersmith & Fulham.
However, the scheme is referred to as "assistance of last resort", meaning that you must have explored all possible commercial and public sector sources of funding first.
Visit www.parkroyal.org/business-support/grants.php
This is another regional scheme – for the south east of England – that provides loans to SMEs with the potential for significant growth. It offers sums between £25,000 and £100,000 for a three to seven year period (with capital repayment holidays available).
Businesses must have a completed business plan, including financial accounts and projections.
Visit www.financesoutheast.com
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