Useful Information for Businesses – Update 22nd April 2020

Within this daily blog we aim to give you top-line, up-to-date information at a glance with links to relevant sites that explain in more detail relevant news, support, and financial help that we hope will make a difference to your business during the Covid19 Crisis and beyond:

New Coronavirus business support finder tool launched to signpost businesses to the right grants, loans and funds LINK

ADDITIONAL NEW GUIDANCE RELEASED 21 APRIL 2020

Details of Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme Unveiled LINK
Vulnerable groups set to benefit from improved legal aid support
Some of the most vulnerable people in society, including victims of domestic abuse, will be given enhanced support through their legal aid after changes unveiled today (21 April 2020).

GOVERNMENT LETTERS AND STATEMENTS

• Letter from the Economic Secretary, John Glen, to front line staff working to provide essential banking services.
• Letter from James Brokenshire and Lord Stephen Greenhalgh in response to the Fire Brigades Union on the government’s actions to support fire services.

• Letter from the Local Government Minister Simon Clarke to councils thanking them again for their efforts responding to the coronavirus pandemic and setting out further details of additional funding

• Biometrics Commissioner statement on the use of symptom tracking applications, digital contact tracing applications and digital immunity certificates.

BUSINESS SUPPORT PACKAGES: LATEST INFORMATION & UPDATES

The Coronavirus Business Support Hub is now available at gov.uk/business-support.

Funding and support

• Financial support for businesses
• Claim for your employee’s wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
• Apply for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
• Defer your VAT payments
• Prevent your business from being evicted

 Support for the retail, hospitality, leisure and nursery sectors

• Grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
• 12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality, leisure and nursery businesses in England

 Self-employed people and sole traders

• Claim a grant through the Self-employment Income Support Scheme
• Self-employment and Universal Credit
• If you cannot pay your tax bill on time
• Carry out work in people’s homes safely (tradespeople)
• Drivers’ hours rules relaxations
• Negotiate a mortgage payment holiday

 Your responsibilities as an employer

• What you need to do and how to keep your employees safe
• Claim for your employee’s wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
• Statutory Sick Pay (SSP): employer guide
• Claim back Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
• Find out what to do if your employee needs time off to look after dependants
• Which expenses are taxable if your employees work from home
• Apprenticeships: how they can continue
• Guidance for Tier 2, 4 and 5 visa sponsors of people affected by coronavirus

 Managing your business during coronavirus

• Cleaning your workplace safely
• Handwashing advice posters
• Rules that have been relaxed to help businesses during the coronavirus pandemic
• Construction sites and safe working
• Farmers, landowners and rural businesses
• Food businesses
• Freight transport businesses
• Medical and healthcare industry
• Shipping and sea ports businesses
• Supported accommodation, residential care and home care
• Transport businesses

 Business closures

• Businesses that must close
• If you’re staying open for business: safe working guidance
• Closing holiday accommodation to temporary residents

Be the Business Webinar – future proof your business

In-depth discussion with practical advice and resources that can help your business. Find out more here.

CAN YOU, YOUR BUSINESS OR EMPLOYEES OFFER CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) SUPPORT?

Personal protective equipment (PPE) hub
A hub containing guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE), and infection prevention and control (IPC) is now available. The government welcomes  support from manufacturers who wish to offer their production facilities where they can meet the required specifications for use by the NHS and care sector. New offers can continue to be made via www.gov.uk/coronavirus-support-from-business.

Help the government increase coronavirus (COVID-19) testing capacity

There is also a hub for businesses seeking to help the government increase testing capacity in the UK as part of its strategy to protect the NHS and save lives. It includes a raft of information, including specification for the required antibody test and guidance about the criteria laboratories need to meet to partner with a local NHS trust. Businesses can provide support in a number of ways:

• Help supply materials and equipment
• Help supply complete testing methods
• Help provide laboratory capacity
• Help provide new testing methods in 4 key areas

Can your business offer further support?
The UK Government is looking for businesses who can offer support in the multiple areas and has set up an online tool where businesses can register. To offer support click here.

National Caterers Association (NCASS) have dedicated advice for caterers still operating or changing to delivery services here 

UK Sustain have dedicated advice and resources for community organisations and social enterprises helping to feed vulnerable groups here 

WEBINARS

Forthcoming Webinars

22 April 10am   White Label  Entrepreneurial Croydon – Advice for Directors and how to remain innovative.

Past Relevant Webinar Series

Series of Webinars run by Champ Consultants (Accountants)  Including advice for small businesses and self employed persons, latest updates and Government help

White Label Webinars are available on their YouTube Channel here.

Social Enterprise UK have a range of webinars for social entrepreneurs here

NCASS have started webinars for their members which would also be helpful for all food businesses here

Thank you to White Label Creative who have been invaluable in passing on relevant information to us on a daily basis and, together with Champ Consultants, an established, local accountancy company and the Federation of Small Businesses a membership organisation helping smaller businesses achieve their ambitions – we hope that in re-circulating the salient points, we can all work together to help as many businesses as possible.

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