Introduction
Please read on for the latest information and advice for businesses in East Devon.
The local authority discretionary grant fund for businesses will be reviewed by East Devon District Council’s cabinet next Tuesday 9 June, which starts at 2pm. You can read the agenda.
Our online business continuity workshops continue on Monday with website improvements and search engine optimisation, with a focus on facebook on Tuesday. Please see the full range of webinars and book to help your business adapt to the new circumstances.
New fund for dairy farmers
A new dairy response fund will open for applications on 18 June. With some dairy farmers facing financial difficulties and excess milk due to the coronavirus outbreak, the new fund will provide up to £10,000 each to help those dairy farmers most in need of support to sustain their business.
Second self-employment income support grant
Check if you can claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
If you’re self-employed or a member of a partnership and have been adversely affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) find out if you can use this scheme to claim a grant. If you’re eligible and want to claim the first grant you must make your claim on or before 13 July 2020. The scheme has been extended to include a second and final grant when the scheme opens again in August 2020. The grant could be worth 70% of average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering three months’ worth of profits, and capped at £6,570 in total.
How to make a claim through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
Watch a video on how to make a claim through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is changing
From 1 July, employers can bring back to work employees that have previously been furloughed for any amount of time and any shift pattern, while still being able to claim CJRS grant for their normal hours not worked. When claiming the CJRS grant for furloughed hours employers will need to report and claim for a minimum period of a week. The scheme will close to new entrants from 30 June. From this point onwards, employers will only be able to furlough employees that they have furloughed for a full 3 week period prior to 30 June. This means that the final date by which an employer can furlough an employee for the first time will be 10 June, in order for the current 3 week furlough period to be completed by 30 June.
Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme
Employers can now claim for employees who are self-isolating because they’ve been notified by the NHS or public health bodies that they’ve come into contact with someone with coronavirus. Employers can check if they can claim back Statutory Sick Pay paid to employees due to coronavirus.
 Toolkit to restart your business safely
The Better Business for All (BBfA) partnership has collated useful resources to guide you through restarting your business safely, as more businesses can open from 15 June. The BBfA Covid-19 Toolkit includes vital documents such as a risk assessment template and action plan, business checklists and useful guides to help you comply with regulations to restart your business safely. You can download the toolkit BBfA Covid-19 Toolkit
For the latest COVID-19 support and guidance for businesses, and information on Government schemes, please visit the Growth Hub website.
Test and Trace service
Read new guidance for employers, businesses and workers on the test and trace service.
In the fightback against coronavirus, it is vital that employers make their workplaces as safe as possible. Although implementing safe working procedures may seem disruptive, it is less disruptive than an outbreak of COVID-19 in the workplace would be.
The NHS Test and Trace service will support businesses by:
- testing anyone with symptoms of Coronavirus. If they test positive, they and their household can continue to self-isolate;
- helping to stop the onward spread of the virus;
- which would eventually allow the nation to return to normal as quickly as possible, if deemed by Government.
Information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses
Farmers, landowners and rural businesses should note that the BPS deadline for land change requests has been extended to midnight on 9 June 2020. Read more
Rural Payments Agency update includes information about Countryside Stewardship, Environmental Stewardship and the Basic Payment Scheme.
Non-Essential Retail To Reopen From 15th June
The government has announced that broader range of non-essential retail outlets will be able to open from 15th June such as shops, galleries and indoor markets. This is following car showrooms and outdoor markets which will be allowed to reopen from 1st June. In order to reopen safely, retailers will need to follow new government guidelines.
A path to the new normal with free webinars from Exeter Science Park and partners
Exeter Science Park has launched a series of webinars to inform and inspire the region’s business community. The sessions are free to attend and will run from 12:30 to 1pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays throughout June and July, with different partner organisations chairing different days.
Bike Month will help ‘get Devon moving again’
This month is Bike Month and Love to Ride Devon is encouraging as many people as possible to get on their bikes. It's good for our daily exercise and is a great way to travel while maintaining social distancing and avoiding congestion.
Anyone over 16 can sign up, and there's chances to win prizes, track your mileages, earn badges and more. To take part, log in or register on the Love to Ride Devon website, or by using a cycling app such as Strava.
Useful links
*Stay up to date by subscribing to our business update. Visit public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/subscriber/new, add your email address and choose the ‘business’ topic.
Read answers to common questions: www.gov.uk/guidance/answers-to-the-most-common-topics-asked-about-by-the-public-for-the-coronavirus-press-conference
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