Innovate UK Grants
Innovate UK, a government agency who work with people, companies and partner organisations to find and drive technology innovations capable of growing the UK economy, will have its funding maintained in cash terms. After creating nearly 35,000 extra new jobs in the UK and adding £7.5billion to the UK economy since helping companies with innovative products in 2007, the Chancellor confirmed continuation of this. After the success of the Government grants for connection vouchers of which C4L were official suppliers, we think continuation of the Innovate UK grants which drive the future economic growth from science and technology developments will give our tech industry even more opportunity to reach its full potential.
Cyber security spending
The chancellor expressed his acute awareness of the “enormous potential for the internet to drive economic growth” but that he was also acutely aware of “the risk of cyber-attack harming our economy and undermining the confidence on which it rests”. He stated that they will be “investing in defending Britain in a cyber-age” and that the investment will almost double totalling £1.9 billion to make Britain one of the safest places to do business online. With C4L protecting our CORETX network by heavily investing in DDoS mitigation services, it is good to see the government are now also taking cyber-security into their own hands too, cybercrime can no longer be ignored.
New enterprise zones – including Dorset
Established in 2012, enterprise zones, the specific working zones designed to help businesses create jobs, get investment, have access to business facilities and enhanced capital allowances have so far helped over 540 businesses and created 19,000 jobs. The economy boosting zones have now been increased by 18, bringing the number of UK zones to 44. One of these zones is Dorset Green (Dorset LEP), at Dorset Green Technology Park, formerly known as the Winfrith Atomic Energy Authority Site. As a Dorset ISP, C4L hope to help the new Dorset Enterprise zone with connectivity requirements to ensure full capabilities within the site can be matched in terms of speed and capacity online.Apprenticeship levy
Organisations will now be asked to pay 0.5% levy on their payroll to fund a boost in apprenticeships, with the first £15,000 offset. The CEO of TechUK, Julian David, says the Government should “listen closely to the needs to tech employers and ensure that they levy does not undermine existing initiatives by companies to nurture future talent”. We hold high regard for apprenticeships at C4L and believe in training alongside work. Let’s hope Apprenticeship schemes continue their success.
