Heating Oil Crisis in Rural Communities

The price of kerosene - the fuel used for heating oil - has been particularly impacted by the conflict in the Middle East and is currently double that of crude oil.

To bridge the gap, the Chancellor has announced over £50 million of targeted financial support, helping low-income households in rural communities who have no choice but to top up their tanks at a time when prices have risen so significantly. 

Following this announcement, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) are keen to hear any insights or thoughts on the impact of the current instability in the Middle East on rural businesses and residents in South and Vale.

If you have any feedback, please let us know by Thursday 26 March, so that we can feed back to DEFRA.

GOV.UK - Find a grant

If you are looking for financial support to grow your business, launch a community project or fund groundbreaking research, the UK Government’s Find a Grant service can help.

You can use the service to:

• access government grant funding
• search and filter to find a grant that matches your needs
• find out if you are eligible to apply for a grant
• find out how to apply for a grant.

You can also save your search criteria and sign up for a weekly email alert. This ensures you’re the first to know when a new grant matching your needs is uploaded.

Find a grant for your organisation via the Government's website.

HMRC user research

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is inviting individuals and businesses to contribute to the development of future government services by participating in user research.

As part of its commitment to creating accessible, user‑friendly services on GOV.UK, HMRC is seeking real‑world feedback that can help shape tools and processes used by millions across the UK.

To ensure these services meet the needs of all users, HMRC regularly gathers insights from people with first‑hand experience of its systems. By understanding how customers interact with existing services, and what challenges they may encounter, HMRC’s design and development teams can create improved, more intuitive solutions.

Businesses and individuals interested in taking part are encouraged to complete a short expression‑of‑interest survey. The survey collects information that helps HMRC match participants to suitable research opportunities. Participation is entirely voluntary, and respondents may choose not to answer any question or withdraw at any time.

Register your interest via HMRC's form.

What's on in Southern Oxfordshire

If you live in South or Vale, you'll have seen our 'What's on in Southern Oxfordshire' leaflet drop through your letterbox with the Council Tax leaflet.

Our Visit Southern Oxfordshire website is perfect for residents and those who are looking to explore the area. Using the site, you can find information on our market towns, local events and attractions, cycling and walking trails, popular film and TV locations, itineraries, places to stay and more.

Plus, with Easter looming, we've put together a roundup of the best local events happening over the break. Take part in an Easter egg hunt, head to the circus, watch a show, attend a workshop or enjoy outdoor games. There's something for everyone!

Visit our Easter page and 'What's on' calendar to plan your adventures.

Pubs, restaurants and hotels to save on energy bills
 
Small and medium sized pubs, restaurants and hotels are set to receive free support to cut their energy bills through the extension of a government-funded energy and carbon reduction tool. 

An innovative new digital energy saving tool has already helped slash the average energy bills of 90 hospitality businesses by nearly £2,500 during a 12-month trial period, by reducing overnight energy consumption for some trialists by up to 66%.

Following the success of the trial, it is now being extended to hundreds of hospitality businesses across England, with applications now open, supporting the government’s clean energy mission while helping business owners cut costs.

Register for the free energy and carbon reduction tool via the Zero Carbon Company website.

Backing your business to grow: High street support

High streets are absolutely vital to local economies, but many high street and local businesses are operating under real pressure.

In partnership with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Enterprise Nation has created a 'High street support - where to start' guide for UK-based small businesses that rely on local customers, including independents across retail, hospitality and local services. 

The guide covers:

• the main pressures that high street businesses commonly face 
• the government support available both locally and nationwide 
• how to find the right local route without spending hours searching 
• a short checklist you can use to decide what to do next.

Read the guide via Enterprise Nation's website.

Battery Storage and Renewables

Low Carbon Hub is hosting a free webinar on Battery Storage and Renewables for community energy groups, local authorities, investors and others interested in the future of a smarter energy system.

Thursday 26 March   |   12pm - 1pm

Battery storage allows surplus renewable electricity to be stored and released when it’s needed most, smoothing peaks and troughs in supply and demand, and reducing waste.

This webinar will explore:

• practical and financial benefits of co-locating battery storage with renewables
• how battery projects can participate in flexibility markets
• how community investment can unlock battery storage
• Low Carbon Hub’s new battery project at Ray Valley Solar, funded through the Community Energy Fund, and how investors can be part of it.

 Secure your free place via the event page.

Unlocking Social Value: Building Partnerships That Change Lives

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is hosting a free webinar on how social value commitments can create lasting change in our communities. This webinar brings together the spirit behind the Armed Forces Covenant, the Care Leavers Covenant and the Employer Domestic Abuse Covenant, to show how organisations can turn compassion into action and purpose into impact.

Tuesday 31 March   |   11am - 12pm

The webinar will explore how these covenants champion fairness, inclusion and opportunity, and how employers can play a vital role in transforming lives through meaningful commitments. From supporting veterans and service families, to opening doors for care leavers, to creating safe, supportive workplaces for survivors of domestic abuse, each covenant represents a promise to stand beside those who need understanding and support the most.

Register for your free place via the event registration page.

Boost your business success – stay connected with us via LinkedIn!

Are you ready to take your business to the next level? We’re here to provide the tools, insights and resources you need to succeed.

Follow our social media channels for:

• The latest business news
• Important events
• Practical advice and guidance
• Opportunities for businesses.

Follow us on our new LinkedIn page to be kept up-to-date.

Whether you’re looking for inspiration, knowledge or just a little extra motivation, we’ve got you covered. We’re here to help your business thrive - one post at a time!