{"id":2968,"date":"2019-04-08T15:16:25","date_gmt":"2019-04-08T15:16:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bainesjewitt.co.uk\/blog\/?p=2968"},"modified":"2019-04-08T15:16:29","modified_gmt":"2019-04-08T15:16:29","slug":"hmrc-extends-8-million-customs-funding-training-deadline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bainesjewitt.co.uk\/blog\/hmrc-extends-8-million-customs-funding-training-deadline\/","title":{"rendered":"HMRC extends \u00a38 million customs funding training deadline"},"content":{"rendered":"

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has announced that the deadline for applications for funding from a Government initiative designed to help businesses prepare for the UK\u2019s exit from the European Union (EU) has been extended to 31 May 2019.<\/p>\n

The \u00a38 million funding will help businesses to meet the cost of employee training and IT improvements for customs intermediaries and traders\u00a0who complete customs declarations.<\/p>\n

The funding is one of several measures from HMRC to help get businesses ready for the exit from the EU, with the Government sending letters to 145,000 VAT-registered businesses that trade with the\u00a0EU\u00a0to advise them how to prepare for a no deal scenario and publishing more than 100 pages of guidance for businesses on procedures at the border in the event of a no deal scenario.<\/p>\n

The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the fund during the 2018 Budget. It will be broken down into \u00a32 million to fund training for\u00a0intermediaries and traders completing customs declarations.<\/p>\n

\u00a33 million will be provided for IT improvement, which will be available to provide packaged software for SMEs who are currently completing customs declarations on behalf of importers and exporters.<\/p>\n

The remaining \u00a33 million will go towards increasing the training provision. HMRC will provide funds for service provider Knowledge Pool which is working alongside training providers to increase the number of courses available to help provide this training.<\/p>\n

Financial Secretary Mel Stride MP, said: \u201cWe are doing everything we can to get businesses ready for the UK leaving the\u00a0EU, however businesses also need to take action themselves to prepare.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is help available – we have provided funding to support businesses with customs processes, and we are now extending the deadline to 31 May 2019 giving more time for applications.\u201d<\/p>\n

How do i apply?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Applying for the funding is broken down into two grants, a training grant and an IT improvement grant, and certain criteria must be met to be able to apply.<\/p>\n

To be eligible for the training grant you must meet the following criteria:<\/p>\n