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Introduction
According to the CBI/Pertemps Employment Trends Survey 2026, only 15% of UK businesses are confident about hiring new staff, down from 24% in 2025. It is the case that high labour costs are the number 1 threat to competitiveness in the UK labour market, according to 73% of businesses surveyed.
UK employment regulations are the second highest threat to UK employers, with 72% stating that the Government’s Make Work Pay plan is unaffordable and will threaten growth, investment, job creation and the ability to provide other employee benefits.
A total of 44% of businesses have stated that rising recruitment and onboarding costs mean that any recruitment activity is being pushed towards obtaining more experienced hires and reducing the number of entry-level opportunities available.
In terms of apprenticeships, 53% of hirers are now offering fewer apprenticeship roles in their business than they’d like to, due to wider cost pressures. 50% of employers believe that cutting regulatory burden on apprenticeships would encourage them to create more routes into work for young people.
Businesses looking to take on new staff or train up their existing workforce can apply for financial support in the form of grants. Funding is available in local areas from councils, enterprise support agencies, universities and sector skills based training organisations. Businesses can receive funding to help train and develop new skills for their existing employees, create new job roles, take on apprentices or have graduate or intern placements. In some cases match funding from the employer is required to part pay new salaries or for training courses and activities.
What Are Some Of The Latest UK Recruiting and Developing Staff Grants Funding Opportunities Available?
i) Walsall Business Support
Walsall Business Support is running a scheme for businesses seeking assistance with growth projects, tackling skills shortages and increasing job opportunities. Interested applicants can apply for grants and a free training needs analysis. Funding up to £10,000 is available, or up to £25,000 in exceptional circumstances.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
ii) South Lanarkshire Business Growth Grant
South Lanarkshire Council is running a scheme that aims to support established, full‑time businesses across South Lanarkshire strengthen their long‑term sustainability, drive growth and create new jobs. Up to £5,000 is available for revenue costs such as specialist consultancy, staff training and exhibition and trade show participation.
Application Deadline: 31st March 2027
iii) Malvern Hills Growth Fund
Malvern Hills District Council is running a scheme that provides funding to support activities that help businesses in the manufacturing, rural, tourism and hospitality sectors to grow, such as investing in new equipment, expanding facilities, creating new jobs, or improving productivity. Funding up to £15,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iv) Employee Relocation Incentive
The Isle of Man Department for Enterprise is running a scheme providing grants for businesses to help them cover the costs of relocating an employee to the Isle of Man. Funding is available for permanent roles filled by either off-Island workers, recent on-Island graduates or Manx graduates returning to the Island. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
v) Glasgow Futures Employer Recruitment Incentive
Glasgow City Council is running a scheme for employers to access funding when recruiting a Glasgow Futures eligible participant. Applicants must adhere to Fair Work First commitments, which includes payment of the Real Living Wage for all staff. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vi) Herefordshire Future Skills Grant
Herefordshire Council is running a scheme that aims to support the creation of more, better paid jobs by funding training courses to upskill existing employees, to support career progression and enable individuals to take on more skilled roles, leading to career progression. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vii) Graduate Internship Scheme – Part and Fully Funded Internships
The University of Chester is providing fully funded internships to start-ups in their first year and SMEs can access a part funded internship at a rate of 60%. Organisations can host an intern for 180 hours at a rate of £14.30 per hour. Funding up to £1,459 is available for SMEs and up to £2,574 for start-ups.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
viii) Apprenticeship Incentive Programme
Solent Growth Partnership is running a scheme that aims to help businesses across the Solent region to recruit an apprentice for the first time, while supporting young people who have previously been Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET). Funding up to £2,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
How To Apply For Recruiting and Developing Staff Funding Schemes
Full details about how to apply for schemes and the eligibility criteria is available on each individual scheme page on the relevant website. Any deadlines, who can apply and what eligible costs the grants will cover will also be outlined on these pages. Interested individuals and businesses can speak to advisors based at each provider who can guide them through requirements and eligibility criteria to see if the relevant funding is a match with their needs and help them to apply. There are also application forms and other supporting guidance available on scheme pages as well.