- Recipients include Federation of Small Businesses, British Chambers of Commerce, Institute of Directors, the Shellfish Association of Great Britain and the UK Fashion & Textile Association
- 69 organisations already awarded £6.3 million and named today
- government to host online Brexit readiness event for up to 10,000 businesses on 16 October
124 business organisations of a variety of sizes across the UK have now had grants approved to help get companies ready for Brexit on 31 October.
The Business Readiness Fund was launched to help business representative organisations and trade associations to support members and non-members alike to get ready for Britain leaving the European Union on 31 October. It closed for applications on 7 October.
Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom has today confirmed that 69 grants have already been awarded to a range of groups, making up £6.3 million of the fund so far, including:
- the Federation of Small Businesses, which is planning interactive webinars, digital engagement and marketing to reach 1 million businesses
- the British Chambers of Commerce, which will use funds to produce expert guidance for businesses about the implications of leaving the EU without a deal on 31 October, specifically around customs declarations, rules of origin and tariffs
- the Institute of Directors, which will be disseminating accessible guidance, providing a range of workshops and information sessions, and facilitating one-to-one advice for business leaders
- the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which will undertake targeted communications to members, the businesses they advise and firms in general. Funding from the grant will provide for printed and digital resources for chartered accountants, as well as non-members, focusing on ten key questions businesses need to consider in order to prepare as thoroughly as possible in the event of the UK leaving the European Union on 31 October without a deal
- the Shellfish Association of Great Britain, which will help prepare the shellfish industry for Brexit on 31 October across the UK via 3 projects; providing an information pack, an information event on 18 October in London and tailored advice to individual businesses
- the UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT), which is holding a series of free events across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland over the coming weeks to provide practical advice and support for UK fashion and textile businesses in the lead up to the UK's exit from the European Union. The association has prepared a free Brexit Checklist, a comprehensive guide to Brexit readiness for the UK fashion and textile industry and will be operating a dedicated Brexit helpline to help minimise disruption to trade
The Fund is also supporting business groups across the United Kingdom:
- Aerospace Wales Forum Ltd
- West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce
- the Law Society of Northern Ireland
- Manufacturing NI
- Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade
- the Institute of Directors (NI)
- Scottish Engineering and The Scottish Council for Development & Industry
are among those receiving grants.
Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom, said:
I'm delighted that this Fund has been able to support such a large and diverse wide range of business groups right across the United Kingdom as we get ready to leave the EU on 31 October. The funding has to be used to support both members and non-members, so I urge all businesses to
