Leather UK and the Leather and Hide Trades’ Benevolent Institution (LHTBI) have jointly introduced a hardship fund tailored to support leather workers in the United Kingdom. Known as the Leather UK Hardship Grant, this initiative is aimed at alleviating the adverse effects of the ongoing "cost of living" crisis. Individuals facing financial difficulties due to this crisis can apply for this grant, which offers financial assistance of up to £1,000. Each application will be meticulously assessed on a case-by-case basis and treated with utmost confidentiality. Applicants are required to provide evidence of the hardship.
This program is specifically designed to aid UK residents who are grappling with severe financial shortfalls and can substantiate a genuine need for assistance. It is important to note that the grant is not intended to cover all additional expenses or serve as a replacement for regular income. Instead, it is a flexible resource designed to adapt to the evolving circumstances of eligible individuals.
However, certain groups are ineligible to apply for the Leather UK Hardship Grant – these groups include:
- Individuals working outside the leather industry
- Non-UK residents or employees of businesses not registered in the UK
- Unpaid or voluntary staff, including students in part time or full-time education
- Individuals who have already received other hardship grants related to the UK leather industry.
- Individuals who cannot provide evidence of consistent paid employment in the UK leather industry for the past year (applicants must be able to demonstrate regular paid employment since at least 01 July 2022)
- Individuals looking for investment in ongoing business commitments in the leather industry.
