Final call for businesses to take part in Help to Grow: Digital progrmme

Businesses have until 2nd February to apply for discounts and vouchers towards business software from the government’s Help to Grow: Digital scheme.

The scheme is to close next year, the government has announced, following less than expected take-up of the benefits, with funding allocated for the scheme to be redistributed in other ways to support SMEs. Despite funding for 100,000 small businesses to take advantage of free advice and discounts of up to £5000 to buy eligible business software, less than 1,000 vouchers have been redeemed.

Discounts of up to £5,000 or 50% of cost of eligible software can be applied for up to and including 2nd February 2023, and must be redeemed within 30 days of the date of issue. Further information is available from the Help to Grow website. Small businesses and stakeholders who have queries should contact the Help to Grow team at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Further help to support SMEs as well as start-ups and aspiring entrepreneurs will continue through the Help to Grow: Management programme, and the government-backed British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans. The Energy Bill Relief Scheme also remains in place until April 2023 to support non-domestic energy customers with rising bills.

A £13.6 billion package of support for smaller businesses, including rates relief for the high street and other targeted support, was also included as part of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement earlier this year.