Email News May 2020
Welcome to the May 2020 Email Newsletter from Marine South East
If you would like to submit an article for consideration please email the text and a suitable image or logo to sj@mseuk.org
Posted 2020-04-21 13:51:33
Support for the Maritime Sector
Solent LEP working with Maritime UK have developed a short survey to better understand the current needs of the maritime industry and how businesses in the sector may access government support.
The findings of this survey will be fed into both local and central government so that the needs of this sector can be addressed.
Business response is an essential source of information for policymakers right now to ensure they understand how businesses are being affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
This is an opportunity for business to influence policy.
Please complete the short survey at the following link:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/TNGBYM7
Posted 2020-04-21 14:24:50
Government Bounce Back Loan goes live Monday 4th May 2020
From Monday 4 May, businesses will be able to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000, with 100% underwritten by Government, and access to the cash will occur within days.
The new scheme, which was announced by the Government on Monday, is designed to help bolster the existing package of support available to the smallest businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
These loans will be interest and repayment free for the first 12 months, and there won't be any fees. The loans will be easy to apply for through one short, standardised online application to access a network of accredited lenders. The loan should reach businesses within days - providing immediate support to those that need it as easily as possible.
Loan terms will be up to six years and the government will work with lenders to agree a low rate of interest for the remaining period of the loan.
For more information please visit:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/small-businesses-boosted-by-bounce-back-loans?utm_medium=Email&utm_source=GovDelivery
Posted 2020-04-30 10:19:48
Solent LEP Coronavirus Support Hub
Solent LEP is working with local partners and government to ensure businesses are able to access up to date information and support during the coronavirus disruption.
The Solent LEP Coronavirus Support Hub https://solentlep.org.uk/coronavirus-support-hub/ gives details of a number of support packages including:
* Business Resilience Programme - 12 hours of fully funded one-to-one support to identify critical issues and suggest actions for building up resilience.
https://www.solentgrowthhub.co.uk/home/about-us/business-resilience-programme/
* Crowdfunding Programme: Pay it forward - £600,000 from the Local Growth Fund has been redirected for small and medium-sized enterprises to make sure that micro and small businesses can access emergency funding.
https://solentlep.org.uk/crowdfunding-programme-pay-it-forward/
* Isle of Wight - Rural Business Resilience Fund - Grants available for businesses on the Isle of Wight to develop alternative ways of working during the coronavirus pandemic.
https://solentlep.org.uk/isle-of-wight-rural-business-resilience-fund/
In addition there is a host of information available for:
* Support of individuals
* Support for the self-employed
* Support for SMEs
* Support for large businesses
* Support relating to apprenticeships
* Coronavirus Rates relief and business grants.
Follow the link to access this information:
https://solentlep.org.uk/coronavirus-support-hub/
To stay up to date with business news from Solent LEP register to receive their newsletter:
https://www.solentgrowthhub.co.uk/home/3113-2/
Jointly the Solent based local authorities have received £279 million of which £132.3 million has already been forwarded to nearly 10,500 businesses in the area.
Posted 2020-04-21 14:10:20
Government Business Support due to COVID-19
The Government's business support information relating to COVID-19 can found on one central website.
All the latest Government Covid-19 Business Support including:
* Access to Funding and Support
* Responsibilities as an Employer
* Advice and guidance for managing your business during Coronavirus
* How you can help
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support
Specific guidance on employee social distancing can be found at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/social-distancing-in-the-workplace-during-coronavirus-covid-19-sector-guidance
Posted 2020-04-21 14:14:18
Innovate UK billion pound support pacakge for innovative firms hit by coronavirus
UK businesses driving innovation and development will be helped through the coronavirus outbreak with a £1.25 billion government support package, the Chancellor has announced.
The comprehensive package includes a new £500 million loan scheme for high-growth firms, called the Future Fund, and £750 million of targeted support for small and medium sized businesses focusing on research and development.
The £500 million Future Fund has been designed to ensure high-growth companies across the UK receive the investment they need to continue during the crisis.
Delivered in partnership with the British Business Bank and launching in May, the fund will provide UK-based companies with between £125,000 and £5 million from the government, with private investors at least matching the government commitment. These loans will automatically convert into equity on the company’s next qualifying funding round, or at the end of the loan if they are not repaid. To be eligible, a business must be an unlisted UK registered company that has previously raised at least £250,000 in equity investment from third party investors in the last five years.
The £750 million of targeted support for the most R&D intensive small and medium size firms will be available through Innovate UK’s grants and loan scheme.
Innovate UK, the national innovation agency, will accelerate up to £200 million of grant and loan payments for its 2,500 existing Innovate UK customers on an opt-in basis. An extra £550 million will also be made available to increase support for existing customers and £175,000 of support will be offered to around 1,200 firms not currently in receipt of Innovate UK funding. The first payments will be made by mid-May.
For more information please visit:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/billion-pound-support-package-for-innovative-firms-hit-by-coronavirus
Posted 2020-04-23 15:32:31
Innovate UK launches new 3-year programme for Young Innovators
The national Young Innovators Awards will go to 18–30 year olds with a creative and ground-breaking business idea to support them in turning it into reality.
The programme will support up to 100 young people over 3 years with individuals benefitting from a £5,000 grant, one-on-one coaching and an allowance to cover living costs.
For more information please visit:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/innovate-uk-launches-new-3-year-programme-for-young-innovators
Posted 2020-04-27 16:16:54
Marine Apprentices invited to apply for Lady Hamlyn Award
Marine Apprentices are invited to apply for the prestigious Lady Hamlyn Award which offers grants of up to £1,000 to apprentices who demonstrate outstanding commitment to their professional development in the marine sector.
The Lady Hamlyn award is aimed at Apprentices who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to their professional development in the marine sector. The award aims to help support apprentices throughout the course of their apprenticeship and ease their transition into a maritime career.
This award has been made possible by Lady Helen Hamlyn. Lady Hamlyn is the Chair of the Helen Hamlyn Trust which works to develop innovative projects, with the aim to effect lasting change, improve quality of life and create opportunities for the benefit of the public. Internationally recognised for her design aesthetics and philanthropy, Lady Hamlyn has been involved with the IMarEST and the Guild of Benevolence since the 1940's through her father who was a chief engineer.
For more information please visit:
https://www.imarest.org/awards/lady-hamlyn-award
Posted 2020-04-27 16:20:57
World Ocean Summit Insight Hour; 12th May 2020, webinar
The World Ocean Summit Insight Hour is a series of virtual events by The Economist Group's World Ocean Initiative to help ocean stakeholders navigate through the current uncertain times and lay the foundation for a sustainable ocean economy.
The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted key ocean industries such as shipping, fisheries and tourism. It also threatens to slow progress in other areas that are vital for building a sustainable ocean economy, such as blue finance and investment in ocean energy projects, shipping decarbonisation and aquaculture, as policy priorities shift towards healthcare and welfare.
The first World Ocean Summit Insight Hour will take place on Tuesday 12th May 2020 at 3pm BST. The event will discuss how policymakers and business leaders are increasingly focusing on the post-coronavirus recovery and how to set the economy on a sustainable footing.
The webinar is free to attend but there will be limited places so early registration is recommended.
Follow the link to register:
https://tinyurl.com/ycn39qg4
