Latest news with #BetterBusinessGrant
BBC News
22-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Politician raises concerns over future of Jersey trainees
A politician has raised concerns over the ability for trainees to find work when a scheme to help companies adjust to an increased living wage comes to an March, the government introduced a £5.3m Better Business Grant to support firms transitioning to the living wage rate in 2025 and 2026, matching 50% funding for staff training. Deputy Max Andrews fears companies will not be able to afford trainee wages when the scheme finishes, and so won't employ has asked States members to back his proposal for a review of how minimum wage increases have affected the way companies take on and keep trainees. The Council of Ministers increased the minimum wage from £11.64 to £13 per hour on 1 April Better Business Grant is part of a £20m package of support for businesses from the Government during the transition to increased wages, over two years. 'Precarious position' In his proposal, Andrews said the baseline wage had increased "considerably" and he wanted to ensure there were no "unintended consequences"."Once the living wage package comes to an end, this could leave businesses in a precarious position," he said. "It could mean that trainees may struggle to secure work due to the baseline wage hikes making it unaffordable for firms to recruit trainees."His proposal would see the non-political body, the Jersey Employment Forum, review how increases to minimum wages since 2024 have affected the way companies take on and keep trainees."If there are unintended consequences, then we need to be aware of what those implications are," he said. The earliest time the States can debate his proposal would be on 13 May. If his proposal is successful, the Employment Forum would have until September 2027 to report back to the States with their findings.
BBC News
31-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Jersey business grant funding scheme opens for applications
Applications have opened for a £5.3m match-funding scheme which aims to help business owners in Business said the Better Business Grant was accepting applications for funding to help improve productivity and training up until the end of said the grant, which would be 50% match-funded, was part of the government's £20m Better Business Support Business chief executive Paul Murphy said the scheme showed a "real desire" to grow the island's economy and to get firms thriving. "Improved productivity will help all sectors to grow, and we're excited about how this scheme will improve profits by enhancing the businesses' levels of productivity and skills," Mr Murphy said.
