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These initiatives are all very well ...
But invariably anything subsidised by the Government attracts a premium by the supplier - so all the Government does is encourage a price hike to take account of the subsidy
One only has to look at the alternative energy market or trying to install solar, heat pumps etc. The authorised supplier hikes the price by a couple of thousand to accommodate the grant
This was one of the concerns with the recent help to buy
Missing a trick
JC I don't see this as comparable to the renewable energy incentives provided. In those cases it was more often than not a one off transaction with no real opportunity for repeat business. Under those circumstances it obviously made sense for them to maximise profit on the sale.
However when talking about subsidising professional service advice I think anyone who puts a premium on their service because of the grant aid is missing a trick. It represents a fantastic opportunity to showcase their ability to provide added value services and build a lasting relationship with potential repeat business which may far outweigh the maximum £2,000 grant. The further you can make that grant money go the happier the client will be.
It's a shame that the grant is only available to businesses in England, hopefully other devolved governments will come up with similar schemes.
When used responsibly ...
... any help to small business is welcome. However, I remember the grants given by Business Link to help new business with business plans, forecasting, etc., but the grant was too tempting for some accountants who persuaded anyone & everyone possible to apply, even where it was a total waste of money, as the grant inevitably ended up in the accountants pocket.
Limiting the subsidy to 50% may help avert this, as the small business is less likely to 'do the accountant a favour' if they have to fork out 50% themselves, although I can see this being abused too, by the accountant billing, and then crediting, the 50%.
You can't get vouchers for any prospect or client
Unlike the "train to gain" vouchers you mention ShirleyM, you are not allowed to mention the growth vouchers to your customers or potential customers and then ask them to spend them with you.
If you read the detail on the growth vouchers there are two major points:
1. The small business must voluntarily apply for the growth vouchers themselves and are not allowed to spend them with any organisation that they have previously discussed the scheme with before getting them. How this will be monitored though, I have no idea :-)
2. It is a lottery ticket. For the first year there is only £10m available (£20m in the second year) and smes must apply and then the government will select the lucky winners of the growth vouchers. There is a criteria list of who can apply, but the government will choose who gets them from those who have correctly applied. There is no information about how the government are going to decide who gets them, when many will fit the criteria published.
Thanks, NewACA
Different to the previous grants, then. Let's hope the controls work and the money goes where it will do the most good.