Defra have announced the first phase of the Countryside Productivity Scheme, this funding amounts to £5 billion. See www.gov.uk/government/news

The funding can be used to invest in improved infrastructure and ground-breaking new technology, opening up opportunities for our farmers. More detailed information can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/collections/countryside-productivity-scheme

A grant may cover up to 40% of the total eligible costs of the project. There are 2 types of grants - small and large.

Small Grants

• For small grants, funding of between £2,500 and £35,000 is available.
• One small grant can be used to apply for a range of small grant items.

Large Grants

• For large grants, funding of between £35,000 and £1,000,000 is available.
• Applicants can apply for a mix of large grant items in one application.
• Applications can only be for large grant items or small grant items – not a mix of both.
• Grant funding can be used to invest in: Animal productivity, health and welfare; Arable and horticultural productivity; and Resource management.

[Defra stress that the applicant must pay for the remaining 60% of eligible costs, and all, in eligible costs with private money, such as savings or a bank loan. A warning is provided with regard to anyone using public money and how this will not be eligible and may lead to reclaim of any grant already paid].

The Hampshire Growth Hub have extensive knowledge of business services at local, regional, and national levels. 

If your business is looking to grow, or in one of Hampshire Growth Hub's priority sectors, they offer a free service providing you with expert advice on a range of finance and business growth solutions.

Find out more about funding your business here, or email growth.hub@hants.gov.uk.

Funding Circle has funded over £570m in business loans so far. A peer-to-business lending platform connecting businesses and investors, where businesses get fast business loans and investors earn great returns on their investments.

Through the British Business Bank the Government has invested £60m through Funding Circle, while many County Councils and Universities are also lending via Funding Circle to help local businesses and raise funds.

Funding Circle is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Please view the links below for more information on other business grants available:

• HMRC Enterprise Investment scheme

EIS is designed so that your company can raise money to help grow your business. It does this by offering tax reliefs to individual investors who buy new shares in your company.

Under EIS, you can raise up to £5 million each year, and a maximum of £12 million in your company's lifetime. This also includes amounts received from other venture capital schemes. Your company must receive investment under a venture captial scheme within 7 years of its first commercial sale.

• Landfill Community Funding

The Landfill Communities Fund (LCF) is an innovative tax credit scheme enabling operators of landfill sites in England and Northern Ireland to contribute money to organisations enrolled with ENTRUST as Environmental Bodies.

Landfill Operators contributing to the LCF are able to claim a credit (5.3% in 2019/2020) against their landfill tax liability. The credit Landfill Operatives are entitled to is 90% of the contribution they make to Environmental Bodies.

• The Princes Trust

The Princes Trust offers Development Awards that can support: Job licence fees, Accredited course fees up to Level 3, transport to a new job until your first pay slip, and tools, equipment or uniforms for a job or qualification.

They are available for people aged 16 to 20 living in the uk, studying less than 14 hours a week and unemployed or working less than 16 hours per week

Please view the links below for more information on grants and funding available:

• Barclays small business funding advice
• GOV UK - Finance and support for your business
• Winchester City Council is the Accountable Body for LEADER rural funding.  The programme is now closed for new applicatants.  To find out about future funding programmes sign up to our business newletter here.