The latest reporting and explainers from across business news, personal finance, grants and funding, and the wider economy.

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  Grants and Funding

  Can I Get A Grant For Solar Panels In The UK?

  Solar panels can reduce the amount of electricity I need to buy from the grid, but the upfront cost can be substantial. It is therefore understandable to ask whether government funding could help me install them. The answer is potentially yes, although there is no universal solar-panel grant available to every UK homeowner. The support…

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  Grants and Funding

  Can I Get A Grant For A New Bathroom?

  Replacing a bathroom can cost thousands of pounds, particularly once plumbing, flooring, tiling and installation are included. If my existing bathroom is old or in poor condition, it is understandable to wonder whether a grant could pay for a new one. In most circumstances, there is no general government grant simply because I would like…

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  Grants and Funding

  Are There Grants To Repair My Home If I Can’t Afford The Work?

  Owning a home does not necessarily mean I have enough money to repair it. A leaking roof, dangerous electrics, broken heating system or structural problem can require thousands of pounds of work, and these costs can be particularly difficult for somebody living on a low income. There is no universal government grant that pays for…

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  Grants and Funding

  Can I Get A Grant To Make My Home More Accessible?

  If disability or reduced mobility makes it difficult for me to move around my home, use the bathroom or get safely in and out of the property, adaptations can make an enormous difference. Unfortunately, substantial adaptations can also be expensive. This is one area where a well-established grant system genuinely exists. Disabled Facilities Grants can…

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  Grants and Funding

  Can I Get A Business Grant If I Have No Money To Invest?

  One of the attractions of a business grant is obvious: unlike a loan, the money does not normally have to be repaid. If I have a good business idea but very little money of my own, finding a grant can therefore seem like the perfect solution. Unfortunately, having no money to invest can actually make…

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  Grants and Funding

  Can I Get A Grant To Buy Equipment For My Business?

  Equipment can be one of the largest costs involved in starting or expanding a business. Depending on what I do, I might need machinery, tools, computers, manufacturing equipment, specialist technology or equipment that allows me to increase production. Business grants can sometimes contribute towards these costs. In fact, equipment is one of the areas where…

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  Grants and Funding

  Can I Get A Grant To Start A Business From Home?

  Starting a business from home can dramatically reduce the amount of money I need. I may avoid commercial rent, business rates on separate premises and the cost of fitting out an office or shop. Even so, I could still need equipment, stock, software, insurance, marketing or specialist adaptations before I can begin trading. Business grants…

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  Grants and Funding

  Can I Get A Business Grant If I’m Self-Employed?

  Being self-employed does not mean I am excluded from business grants. Sole traders can qualify for many business-support programmes, although the rules vary considerably from one scheme to another. Some grants accept sole traders, partnerships and limited companies. Others are restricted to incorporated businesses or organisations meeting specific conditions. I would therefore never assume that…

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  Grants and Funding

  Where Can I Find Local Business Grants In The UK?

  When I start looking for business grants, it is tempting to concentrate on large national government programmes. However, some of the most relevant opportunities for an ordinary small business can be much closer to home. Local authorities, regional organisations and economic development programmes can all provide funding and business support. The difficulty is that local…