Business secretary Andrea Leadsom launches £10m Brexit grant for businesses

Business secretary Andrea Leadsom has unveiled a £10m grant scheme for business organisations and trade associations aiming to support businesses preparing for Brexit.

The Business Readiness Fund is open to business organisations and trade associations throughout the UK and aims to support events, training and the production of advice packs to assist businesses in making sure they are fully prepared for a Brexit.

Activities funded by the grants must be open to both members and non-members, and to SMEs and startups preparing for Brexit on October 31.

Business secretary Andrea Leadsom said: “The UK will be leaving the EU on October 31. For businesses that still feel unprepared, I am determined to do everything I possibly can to ensure they are fully ready for Brexit.

“We know that companies often rely on the wider business community for help and advice with planning. Business groups will now be given the necessary tools to engage with this crucial task, communicating with non-members and businesses of all sizes.

“The funding we are announcing today will mean business organisations from all sectors across the country can stand resolutely behind businesses large and small to support them in preparing for, and seizing the opportunities of, leaving the EU.”

Applications for grants will be accepted up to Monday September 30, 2019.

Craig Beaumont, director of external affairs at the Federation of Small Business, added: “As an organisation representing 165,000 small firms and the self-employed in every local community across the UK, we welcome these funds that target small businesses.

“It is mission critical to the economy that they have the information they need, to prepare for Brexit.”