Information and Support to help small businesses through the recession
Redundancy and Re-training support
A total of 25 colleges and training providers across the North West are to get extra Government funding for training to help people, who have lost their jobs or are facing redundancy, back into work.
Colleges and other training providers in the region (see notes to editors) will get a share of £100 million that the Government and European Social Fund are making available as part of a Response to Redundancy package to fund high-quality training places for up to 70,000 people in England.
The money will help people who are currently under notice of redundancy or have recently lost their jobs, offering them free, flexible training to boost their skills so they can move quickly back into work.
The £100 million cash boost to help Britain's unemployed was announced on 14th October 2008 by DWP and the then DIUS. The additional money came from the European Social Fund and Train To Gain-funded support. More information
Local providers are: Blue Orchid Management, Liverpool, Halton Borough Council, Widnes , Hugh Baird College, Bootle , JHP Group Ltd (contracts to be delivered across the North West) , Knowsley Community College , Mercia Partnership (UK) Ltd, Prescot , Reed in Partnership, Liverpool , Scientiam, Birkenhead , Shaw Trust (contracts to be delivered across the North West) , UfI Ltd (contracts to be delivered across the North West) , Warrington Collegiate , West Cheshire College, Chester , Wirral Metropolitan College
In addition, the Government is putting in place longer and more substantial packages for people who need to retrain in another occupation. In January the Government announced £83 million to offer training places to people unemployed for six months, with 75,000 places provided nationally. More information
Download details of the Government's Finance schemes for businesses
We appreciate there is a lot of information and confusion amongst the business community about the finance schemes that the Government has been announcing to help small businesses in the recession. This guide from BERR will give you all the relevant information. (pdf reader needed).
Tough Times – Business Checklist
Liverpool Branch member Peter Charlery of PDC Online Accountants has kindly provided a checklist to help make sure businesses do all they can at the moment to keep their businesses successful and on-track.
Get a copy (pdf reader needed) Thanks for this article to Peter Charlery, FCCA MBA, PDC Online Accountants, 0151 281 6162. Email
Other sources of support
Business Link - advice and guidance
North West Development Agency - several financial packages on offer to businesses
FSB Financial Advice Line - 08000 193 633