Any public sector support to private sector organisations is potentially state aid, and therefore must comply with EU regulations, such as the General Block Exemption Regulation or the de minimis regulations. This support could include assistance from local authorities, enterprise partnerships and central government in the form of grants, soft loans, guarantees or investments.

UNW has provided State Aid advice on over 60 Regional Growth Fund projects for central government, and on over 300 applications to local grant schemes including Let’s Grow in the North East, Cumbria Growth Fund, Northampton Enterprise Partnership’s R&D programme and Derby Enterprise Growth Fund.