Useful Information for Businesses – Update 5th May 2020
Within this 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:
£600m top-up to local business grant funds scheme LINK
Bounce Back loans launched LINK
Self-employed invited to get ready to make their claims for COVID-19 support
New export webinars to boost support for SMEs during COVID-19 LINK
NEW INFORMATION AND UPDATES
Ask a question at a coronavirus press conference LINK
Tax credits customers will continue to receive payments even if working fewer hours due to COVID-19 LINK
Government Coronavirus Business Support Hub LINK
Business support helpline LINK
HMRC Helpline LINK
Government webinars LINK
Find a Job Service LINK
Coronavirus support from Business Representative Organisations and Trade Associations LINK
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
6 May 2020 10am Croydon Business Webinar: Retail, Hospitality & Leisure: Adapting to COVID-19 LINK
GOVERNMENT WEBINARS
Government departments are hosting a series of webinars to help businesses understand the support available:
- for topics that cover supporting and retaining staff and the self-employed, register to attend future webinars or watch recorded sessions
- for international trade, register here
- for small businesses, register here
- for changes to reporting, regulation and tax, register here
Current upcoming webinars include:
- Tuesday 5 May – Financial support for small businesses during coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Wednesday 6 May – COVID-19: Impacts and changes to International Trade
- Thursday 7 May – Managing your business during coronavirus: reporting, regulations and tax
- Multiple dates – Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – How to make a claim
- Multiple dates – Coronavirus COVID-19 Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme
If you’ve missed any of the live webinars, you can catch up with HMRC’s series of recorded webinars on HMRC’s YouTube channel.
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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