£10m Brexit Readiness Fund
The Business Readiness Fund has been established provide funding for business organisations and trade associations to help firms with their preparations ahead of the UK’s imminent departure from the European Union.
£10 million of funding will be distributed to support businesses in understanding the steps they should now take to be ready for Brexit day on 31 October 2019. The scheme will support events, training, information campaigns, webinars and the production of advice packs to assist businesses in making sure they are fully prepared for Brexit.
Applications are invited from business support agencies throughout the UK. This includes the Federation of Small Businesses, Chambers of Commerce, Institute of Directors, trade associations, chartered institutes and other professional membership bodies with a significant membership.
Launching the scheme, Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom said: “The UK will be leaving the EU on 31 October. For businesses that still feel unprepared, I am determined to do everything I possibly can to ensure they are fully ready for Brexit. We know that companies often rely on the wider business community for help and advice with planning. Business groups will now be given the necessary tools to engage with this crucial task, communicating with non-members and businesses of all sizes. The funding we are announcing will mean business organisations from all sectors across the country can stand resolutely behind businesses large and small to support them in preparing for, and seizing the opportunities of, leaving the EU”.
Key points to note include:
- The fund is open to business organisations and trade associations throughout the UK
- (This includes the Federation of Small Businesses, British Chambers of Commerce or Institute of Directors, trade associations, individual local chambers of commerce, chartered institutes and other professional membership bodies with a significant membership)
- Application deadline is 30/09/2019
- Activities supported by the fund must be delivered in their entirety by 31 October 2019
- Individual grants are for £25,000 and over
The Government has created an employer’s toolkit with advice and information to support EU citizens and their families to apply to the EU settlement scheme.
For information about the potential impact on businesses, what support is available and proposals for how Brexit should be approached from a business perspective see:
Procurement and Tendering after a no deal Brexit
Suppliers wishing to access public sector contract opportunities will need to access the new UK e-notification service, Find a Tender, instead of OJEU/TED.
Find a Tender has a similar look and feel to Contracts Finder. It is free and you do not need to register to search the site. Registration enables you to save searches, set up email alerts and “watch” notices. If you are already registered on Contracts Finder (or the Supplier Registration Service) you will be able to use the same login credentials for FTS. If you are not already registered and would like this enhanced functionality, register as a supplier on Contracts Finder now.
Suppliers can continue to access the relevant domestic portal, such as Contracts Finder, MOD Defence Contracts Online, Public Contracts Scotland, Sell2Wales and eTendersNI.
Suppliers who wish to access contract opportunities from the EU may continue to do so via OJEU/TED.