30 Aug 2019
The UK government has unveiled a £10 million grant scheme to help businesses prepare for Brexit.
The Business Readiness Fund is open to businesses, organisations and trade associations throughout the UK. The fund can be used to support events, training and the production of advice packs to assist businesses in making sure they are fully prepared for Brexit on 31 October 2019. The government has stipulated that activities funded by grants must be open to businesses of all sizes and business sectors, as well as members and non-members of trade organisations.
Commenting on the launch, 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.
'The funding we are announcing today 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.'
Applications for grants will be accepted up to 30 September 2019 and administered through a dedicated website. Funding must be used on activities to be completed ahead of 31 October 2019.
Commenting on the issue, Craig Beaumont, Director of External Affairs at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: 'As an organisation representing 165,000 small firms and the self-employed in every local community across the UK, we welcome these funds that target small businesses. It is mission critical to the economy that they have the information they need to prepare for Brexit.'