HLAS

'Pioneer' unveiled as an alternative to Horizon Europe funding The UK government has published its Pioneer programme, setting out how it would protect and support the UK research and innovation sector if the UK isn't able to associate to Horizon Europe. Negotiations are still ongoing in the hope of securing a successful association. However, the government maintains that any association must be on the basis of fair and appropriate terms. If association cannot be secured on the right terms, the UK will implement its ambitious, alternative plan - Pioneer. Should it be needed, the Pioneer programme would focus on four [...]

The armed forces covenant is a pledge that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy, and society they serve with their lives. The covenant focusses on helping members of the armed forces community have the same access to government and commercial services and products as any other citizen. Reservists and veterans bring a variety of transferable skills and qualities to the civilian workplace, developed throughout their military careers. Businesses, charitable, and public sector organisations of all [...]

Equality and Climate share centre stage for this year's NatWest SE100 Index and Social Business Awards. Don't miss your chance to be named among the UK's top impact enterprises – enter by 7 May 2023. The awards recognise social ventures and mission-driven businesses that are leading by example in their quest to generate revenue to deliver a social or environmental mission. This year’s categories are: Equality Award, Trailblazing Newcomer, Social Business Champion, Impact Management Champion, Leader of the Year, Social Investment Award, and Climate Champion. See: UK social enterprise ‘top 100’ 2023 edition opens for nominations | The Social Enterprise [...]

Isolation and loneliness are very prevalent in rural areas where transport and amenities are scarce, so Pub is The Hub is making funding available to pubs prepared to support their local residents. If you would like to consider ways in which your pub could diversify and support your local community then please read on! Would you like more information on developing your pub into a hub for your community? Would access to experts in the licensing trade be something you would value before making any decisions on diversifying? Would you like this support to be free of charge? Would you [...]

Working capital finance solutions offer businesses the opportunity to improve cash flow. The world of commercial finance and asset-based lending (ABL) is complex and expansive with products, terminology, and contractual interpretation varying from lender-to-lender. The benefits of arranging working capital are: Up to 90% of outstanding invoice value can be advanced within 24 hours; Flexible lending – funding increases in line with your growth (UK and Export); Confidentiality – lenders can offer a completely confidential service – your customers need not know you have a facility in place; Lenders allow you to manage your funding at all times; Sector-specific finance [...]

Where companies give shares to employees in the company or group that they work for they will generally be taxed on the difference between the market value of those shares and the amount paid, if any. The transaction also needs to be reported to HMRC by 7 July following the end of the tax year. HMRC provide a template to enable employers to report the transaction online: See: Other ERS schemes and arrangements: end of year return template, technical note and guidance notes - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Considerations around whether employers need to operate PAYE and whether national insurance contributions are [...]

Millions of businesses and households are struggling with their energy costs, alongside increases in general taxation, the cost of council tax, water bills and other utilities. Is it all doom and gloom or can you plan forward and make adjustments in, and to, your business to factor in these changes? Our experience tells us that business owners are a resilient bunch and those that are the most successful are also flexible in their planning. Here are some of our recommended actions, based on what we have seen other clients doing recently to firm up their resilience to these tough times: [...]

Applications are now open for the Forestry Commission’s Tree Production Capital Grant. The funding will drive the production of tree seed and saplings through developments in machinery, automation and the expansion of facilities. In line with the aims of the England Trees Action Plan and Government ambitions to treble tree planting rates by the end of this Parliament, the Tree Production Capital Grant will support efforts to build nursery capacity and grow long-term tree seed and sapling supply. The grant will enable suppliers to boost production rates at pace and has been designed to complement the Tree Production Innovation Fund, which provides support for [...]

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has guidance on how to manage the risks to volunteers. The guidance explains how health and safety law applies to volunteering. There is also information on: when to report incidents involving volunteers, and including volunteers in your risk assessments. The pages provide some specific advice for volunteers who manage non-domestic premises such as village and community halls, as well as guidance on charity retail and fundraising. See: Volunteering: How to manage the risks - HSE

There is £50k-£70k funding available for inspirational, life-enhancing ideas, prototypes, or plans to reimagine how personal mobility options in the UK can better support a rapidly ageing population to stay connected, active, and independent for longer. Funded by the UKRI Healthy Ageing Challenge, part of Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, Design Age Institute’s Mobility Pathfinder Innovation Programme invites innovators, businesses and entrepreneurs from across the UK to propose personal mobility solutions at ideation stage or beyond that are commercially viable, demonstrate creativity and innovation, and can be supported towards market by investment in good design. See: Mobility Pathfinder 2023 - Innovate UK [...]