West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has this week urged local schools and communities to pitch for funds to help people get new skills or even start-up a new business. The £2.5 million fund has been allocated by RBS to offer support to projects run by charities, community groups or even state-funded schools to help improve skills. The fund was started last year and the bank is accepting applications for grants up to £35,000 until September 9, 2016. Harriett commented: “I regularly meet with groups who are looking to improve local people’s skills levels and I am sure they will want to hear about this fund. “The fund could also help people to prepare for or even set up their own business and I would urge people to find out more at the RBS website and see if they can access this funding.” More details on the fund can be found at http://skillsandopportunitiesfund.rbs.co.uk/