LEP chosen to overcome Kickstart jobs scheme hurdle

Employers in Swindon and Wiltshire who are looking to employ young people through the government's £2 billion Kickstarter scheme have been offered a helping hand to overcome a major hurdle.

The scheme was launched to great fanfare by Chancellor Rishi Sunak at the start of September. The government offered to cover the wages and costs associated with taking on unemployed 16 to 24-year-olds. The workers are considered the most at-risk from long-term unemployment as a result of the pandemic and economic downturn.

Construction firm completes new school library despite coronavirus restrictions

Swindon-based builder Beard has successfully completed the construction of a stunning new two-storey library at St Mary’s School in Calne.

With construction in full swing when Covid-19 struck, the Beard team adopted a range of innovative practices to ensure that work could continue safely and that the project did not suffer, despite a reduced workforce on-site.

Nearly 20,000 self-employed workers access income support scheme

Nearly 20,000 self-employed workers in Swindon and Wiltshire whose business was adversely affected by the pandemic ave accessed the government's income support scheme.

New figures released by the government over the weekend show that 19,500 people accessed £53 million worth of grants via the second tranche of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.

Creating online content boosted business during lockdown, research shows

Businesses which spent time adding content to their websites were clear winners during lockdown, new research has revealed.

Swindon-based DMJ Computer Services analysed traffic across 50 well-established sites it hosts and found those which were regularly updated saw their visitor numbers increase.

Swindon education business sold for undisclosed sum

Corporate lawyers from Thrings have advised on the sale of Swindon-based education business Financial Services 4 Schools (FS4S) to a leading provider of software, training and professional services to the education sector.

FS4S, which offers bespoke finance, payroll and HR services to schools, academies and multi-academy trusts across the UK, has been acquired by Juniper Education for an undisclosed sum.

Law firm's family department expands with new appointment

Growing Wiltshire law firm Goughs has appointed experienced solicitor Heidi Cardoza to its family team.

Heidi will work across a range of family matters including separation and divorce, financial settlements, children disputes, cohabitation disputes and injunction proceedings from the firm's Devizes office.