Solent Freeport and Solent Growth Partnership (Solent Business Growth Service)
A £2,000 incentive payment for small and medium-sized businesses across the Solent area recruiting an apprentice for the first time, with priority given to young people who have previously been not in education, employment, or training (NEET). Launched June 2026 by Solent Freeport and the Solent Growth Partnership through the Solent Business Growth Service, with a £50,000 total fund awarded first-come, first-served — note the Solent Growth Partnership's area has itself narrowed to Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, and Southampton City Councils rather than the wider historic Solent LEP footprint that used to include Hampshire districts such as Eastleigh, Fareham, Gosport, and Havant.
Amount
£2,000 per employer recruiting a first-time apprentice (£50,000 total fund)
Deadline
Rolling / no fixed deadline
R&D claims and business grants are exactly where a specialist can make the biggest difference — both in claim size and time saved. We're building relationships with vetted professionals who can help with applications like this — register your interest and we'll follow up when we have someone to recommend.
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You can also do this yourself for free via the official sourceContact the Solent Business Growth Service via the Solent Growth Partnership website to register interest; funding is awarded first-come, first-served subject to availability.
View official sourceLast verified: 23 August 2026. See the footer disclaimer — this is general information, not financial or tax advice.