Help to Grow Scheme Extends to Smallest Businesses

The Government’s ‘help to grow: digital’ scheme has now expanded to include businesses with fewer than five employees.

Over a million more businesses will now be eligible for the scheme, which has also been expanded to include one-to-one advice and additional software. Launched in January this year, the scheme was established to help small to medium-sized businesses purchase software and digital technologies to help them grow.

Eligible businesses can get up to 50% off approved technologies, worth up to £5,000 in related costs under the scheme. Previously, only businesses with more than five employees were eligible, but businesses with 1 to 249 employees can now access the discounts.

The scheme now also covers eCommerce software for the first time.

Alan Mak, exchequer secretary to the Treasury, said: “Extending our help to grow: digital scheme will enable thousands more SMEs to become more innovative, competitive, and profitable.”

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said lowering the threshold will help SMEs grow and build the economy. The national chair for the FSB, Martin McTague, said: “Reducing the threshold to one employee makes a difference in this space. “Together with ecommerce software and one-to-one advice for SMEs on technology adoption, this will enable more small businesses to fulfil their growth ambitions.”

Help to grow: digital includes advice on the latest digital technologies, how to use them and how to decide on which may best serve a business.

People who register also have access to case studies on businesses that have adopted new software and how it has worked for them.

Businesses that wish to apply for the help to grow scheme can do so via the Government website. After a business decides on the software they wish to use, they will have 30 days to apply for a Government discount from the date of issue. Anything after the 30 days requires re-registering.

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