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Business Bulletin
A full range of business support measures have been made available to UK businesses and employees.
Follow the links to see the latest updates from Government, find financial support for your business and click here if you are self employed.
The Government has set up a business support helpline on 0300 456 3565. This is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. Visit the Malvern Hills website to sign up for the latest updates on business support and our regular email newsletter.
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Updated lockdown measures
On Sunday 10 May 2020, The Prime Minister addressed the nation announcing updated measures regarding lockdown regulations across the country. The key messages were:
We can all help control the virus if we all stay alert. This means:
- Anyone who can’t work from home, for instance those in construction or manufacturing, should be actively encouraged to go to work
- You should avoid public transport if at all possible
- Work from home if you can, but you should go to work if you can’t work from home
- Ensure you are safe at work – there will soon be new guidance for employers to make workplaces COVID-secure
Further detail on the UK government’s new lockdown rules will be published over the next few days. For more information on the government statement, please visit the GOV.UK website, or the business support page: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support
Guidance Available for businesses
In addition, please read the following guidance, which they have also published to support the above strategy:
The government, in consultation with industry, has produced guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as possible. See here
Many businesses operate more than one type of workplace, such as an office, factory and fleet of vehicles. You may need to use more than one of these guides as you think through what you need to do to keep people safe. Please click the links below to find out more information for the area that is relevant to your business. For full information, please visit the GOV.UK Website.
Self Employment income Support Scheme now open
The scheme will allow those who are self-employed to claim a taxable grant of 80% of their average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering three months, and capped at £7,500 altogether. This is a temporary scheme covering March, April and May, but it may be extended. Check if you are eligible to claim.
To make a claim you will need:
- Self-Assessment UTR (unique taxpayer reference)
- National Insurance number
- Government Gateway user ID and password
- Bank account number and sort code that you want the Government to pay the grant into (only provide bank account details where a Bacs payment can be accepted)
When claiming, you will have to confirm to HMRC that your business has been adversely affected by coronavirus.
Tool to help self-employed determine eligibility for grant claims
HMRC has launched an online tool for self employed people to find out if they’re eligible to make a claim through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. To make a claim you will need your self-assessment unique taxpayer reference (UTR) number and your National Insurance number to hand. Use the eligibility tool and find out more.
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UK furlough scheme extended by four months
The UK scheme to pay wages of workers on leave because of Coronavirus will be extended to October, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced yesterday. Mr Sunak confirmed that employees will continue to receive 80% of their monthly wages up to £2,500. The Government will ask companies to "start sharing" the cost of the scheme from August.
Some 7.5 million workers are now covered by the scheme. From August, the scheme will continue for all sectors and regions of the country but with greater flexibility to support the transition back to work. Employers currently using the scheme will be able to bring furloughed employees back part-time.
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Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do
For an overview of frequently asked questions on what you can and can’t do during the Coronavirus outbreak, see the FAQ document updated in line with the recent announcements.
Updated Coronavirus FAQs
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Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy
Government has produced a strategy which describes the progress the UK has made to date in tackling the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, and sets out the plans for moving to the next phase of its response to the virus. The strategy sets out a cautious roadmap to easing existing measures in a safe and measured way, subject to successfully controlling the virus and being able to monitor and react to its spread. The roadmap will be kept constantly under review as the epidemic, and the world’s understanding of it, develops. Read the strategy here
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FSB Metro Mail Advertising Fund The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and Mail Metro Media are giving small businesses affected by the Covid-19 crisis a chance to receive a £3,000 tailored advertising package. The fund gives access to print advertising in the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday, Metro and i. Online ads will also run across MailOnline and Metro.co.uk. Find more information and apply here Small business advertising fund.
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Bounce Back Loan scheme
The Bounce Back Loan scheme is intended to help small and medium-sized businesses to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000. The Government will guarantee 100% of the loan and there won’t be any fees or interest to pay for the first 12 months.
Loan terms will be up to 6 years. No repayments will be due during the first 12 months. The Government will work with lenders to agree a low rate of interest for the remaining period of the loan. The scheme will be delivered through a network of accredited lenders. More information
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Supporting farms with their recruitment
Pick for Britain is a central online recruitment hub, is now live for fruit and vegetable businesses to advertise their job vacancies for this year’s harvest.
Developed by government and the industry, this site helps to bring workers and employers together and ensures the UK can continue to deliver the best quality British fruit and vegetable for everyone to enjoy.
Before it can be promoted to the public, the site needs to be sufficiently populated with available roles. To achieve this, farm businesses, labour providers and recruiters are being urged to post job vacancies on the site now.
For more information and to register vacancies, visit the NFU website
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Could your business be a case study regarding support received?
WCC are looking at showcasing businesses that have been helped with grants as case studies with image/video. They will be run across WCC social media channels and also the One Worcs channels.
If there are any businesses that your department has helped that would be willing to be recorded or provide the information for the case study? I am happy to contact them if you can provide the relevant details. It would be a great opportunity too to showcase the work that you are doing during this crisis.
Construction Industry Support
The CITB have recently announced the following measures to help support the industry including:
- Suspension of levy payments until August at the earliest.
- Advanced grant payments for year 2 & 3 and Higher Apprentices
- Freezing the 20 week processing rule for grant claims to allow later claims due to disruption of business
- The development of temporary HSE LITE testing products whilst test centres are closed
- The delivery of Site Safety Plus courses such as Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme by Remote Learning.
More information on these can be found here on their Urgent Messages website page which is being updated daily with the latest information on support and safe working for the industry.
Covid-19 Emergency Appeal - Protect Malvern Theatres
Malvern Theatres has launched an emergency fundraising appeal to help secure its future in the face of the Covid-19 crisis. Malvern Theatres’ income disappeared overnight when it closed its doors in March. Unlike most other theatres, only 1% of its running costs are publicly funded and so it relies on ticket sales to keep operating. Malvern Theatres has some emergency reserves to rely on, but with social distancing measures set to continue and theatres likely to be one of the last places to reopen, these savings will soon run dry. The theatre has taken all steps to reduce its monthly overheads but still has significant unavoidable outgoings and the next few months will be critical for its survival. To support the appeal, please visit malvern-theatres.co.uk/support-us
Worcestershire careers
The Skills for Worcestershire programme provides support for young people with their education, training and apprenticeship choices in light of Covid-19. The service will offer impartial advice and then refer to the local provider / school contacts.
Visit Skills 4 Worcestershire
Skills support for the workforce
Serco provides re-training and upskilling for those that have recently been made redundant. For information about what training is available email skillssupport@serco.com
Adult Learning Worcestershire
Explore the list of free and low cost courses being provided for adults aged 19 or older by visiting www.worcestershire.gov.uk/courses
Worcestershire Apprenticeships
See current apprenticeships vacancies in Worcestershire by visiting the Worcestershire Apprenticeships website. Searches can be made based on job title, location, programme level and industry sector. Your can also contact the team by email info@worcsapprenticeships.org.uk
Tell us how your business has been affected
The Coronavirus outbreak presents a significant challenge to businesses around the globe and across the county of Worcestershire. Please take a moment to complete a brief survey on how you have been affected and the team will make every effort to help where it can.
Complete the Worcestershire Business Central survey.
The ED team wants to fully understand the impact of the Coronavirus on specific businesses and the wider economy. This will help us tailor our service to you and feedback to Government to help shape their ongoing response.
If you would like to talk one-to-one with a member of the ED team about your business experience and effects of Covid-19, please email us with your contact details ecodev@malvernhills.gov.uk
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