News - Government issues

A round up of key #Budget2018 points for business - Hammond says he will halve the contribution to the apprenticeship levy for smaller firms from 10% to 5% in a £695m package to support apprenticeships. The minimum qualifying period for entrepreneurs relief will extend from 12 months to 2 years. From April the...

Top 40 advisory firm, Bishop Fleming, says West country companies are continuing to miss out on millions of pounds of research and development (R&D) tax credits, compared to companies in other parts of the UK who are receiving proportionally more in government funds for being innovative. The R&D tax specialist, which...

Adrian Hemmings, partner at Simpkins Edwards LLP, commented:   “The Chancellor’s budget marked a significant departure from that of Mr Hammond’s predecessor.  The silence from the opposition bench alone spoke volumes. In many ways it marked a new beginning focussed more on taxing individuals rather than making cuts in spending.   “Designed to address...

Growth Hub - RDPE Grants now open to applicants Briefing event for potential RDPE Grant applicants   Rural Development Programme for England Growth Programme Briefing - Grants for rural businesses and economic projects Friday, 24th March, 10.00 - 1.00pm Cullompton Community Centre New grant funds have recently been released for rural businesses in Devon and Somerset. Businesses with...

Public Health England South West is aware of the fire at Devon Contract Waste on Marsh Barton Road in Exeter and is working with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, the Environment Agency and Exeter City Council to manage the incident. The fire has been extinguished but is still smouldering,...

Heart of the South West LEP are particularly interested to hear from businesses in the construction sector.  You can support HotSW LEP by completing our Business Confidence Survey for Construction Businesses?  This survey is open until the 28th of February.   We are also still keen to receive comments from businesses and...

“Since the publication of our Strategic Economic Plan, Government has rightly turned its attention to the challenge of productivity. It recently published the ‘Building Our Industrial Strategy’ green paper 1, and we need to be able to articulate clearly our local aspirations.”   Thus, together we are developing a Productivity Plan.  This...

Rural businesses and organisations can now apply to the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) for grants through the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) Growth Programme: •£2,784,740 for ‘Rural Business Development Grants’ – Farm businesses diversifying into non-agricultural activity and new or existing micro and small businesses (including social enterprises) in rural...

Tackling homelessness and rough sleeping in Exeter received a big boost today with news that the city has won part of £654,000 government funding.   Working closely with homelessness providers and partners in the community and voluntary sector, along with East Devon, Mid Devon and Teignbridge District Councils, Exeter will receive a...

By Donna Kehoe, Bank of England agent for the South West of England   We are entering what is likely to be a period of significant change for our economy, with the vote to leave the European Union ushering in a new era for the UK’s relationship with the rest of the world. Some...