Sue Robb of 4Children talks to Julie Laughton and Alison Britton from the Department for Education about the role of childminders in delivering the 30 hours free entitlement.
Growth Vouchers programme launched to support small businesses
The Growth Vouchers programme will distribute vouchers to approximately 20,000 small businesses in England.
Half of the businesses will be selected to receive a voucher for up to £2,000 matched funding to help pay for business support in one of five specialist areas.
The programme is running until March 2015 and will offer a 50% 'cash back' voucher worth up to £2,000 to smaller businesses which can be put towards obtaining strategic advice and guidance in the five important areas of IT and digital, finance, marketing, staffing and leadership.
Members of trade association UKITA will help businesses with up to 50 employees through one-to-one advice and guidance focused on improving their performance over a range of IT and digital areas.
Areas that are eligible for funding include:
• Improving the customer online experience
• Analysing your technology usage
• Digital project planning
• Automating your business processes
• Selling on-line/e-commerce
• Your online visibility
Helen Brewster, Chair of UKITA, comments: "We are delighted to see that with the innovative Growth Vouchers programme, the government is confirming our view of the vital role that IT and digital now plays in the competitive success of almost every business, whether large or small.
"In the past, IT was often seen as an unavoidable overhead for businesses rather than a competitive and strategic tool which brings opportunities to drive business growth and success."
Latest News
26/04/2024 - 12:12
New planning powers come into effect today giving local councils more tools to hold rogue developers to account as part of the government’s Levelling-up and Regeneration Act.
26/04/2024 - 11:13
Sport England has published a report which reveals a long-term increase in activity levels among adults, but also highlights further action is need
25/04/2024 - 12:28
The Welsh government will work with councils to set out a three-phase plan to implement a 20mph limit.
25/04/2024 - 11:56
£11 million of grant funding has been confirmed for public sector bodies in Scotland.
25/04/2024 - 10:32
The Labour Party has announced that it would renationalise most passenger rail services within five years.
Company Focus
Located in Bromley, Japanese Knotweed Eradication Ltd has been providing solutions in the treatment and removal of Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia Japonica) for over a decade. During this time we have mastered a repertoire of methods, from herbicidal treatments to landscaping solutions, tailored to address the unique challenges our clients face with this pervasive weed.
Event Diary
UKREiiF has quickly become a must-attend in the industry calendar for Government departments and local authorities.
The multi-award-winning UK Construction Week (UKCW), is the UK’s biggest trade event for the built environment that connects the whole supply chain to be the catalyst for growth and positive change in the industry.
Supplier Profiles
At GeoEnergy Design, we're on a mission to disrupt the traditional way heating and cooling ha
Latest Features
Professor Harith Alani, director of the Knowledge Management Institute at the Open University explains how AI can be used for good and bad.
Alex Lawrence, head of health & social care, techUK sets out techUK’s Five Point Plan for CareTech.
