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Please find below an overview of the latest business news and guidance. In today's newsletter you will find news and updates on:
- Chancellor outlines Winter Economy Plan
- COVID-19 Business Toolkits
- Introducing the new NHS Covid-19 App
- Tech for Good South West
- Support for businesses in the UK transition period
- UK and Japan agree historic free trade agreement
- VAT arrangements after the end of the Brexit transition period
- Outset September Newsletter
- Six Plymouth Science Park Companies shortlisted for awards
- Be the Business - Tourism and hospitality masterclass series
- Free Learning Options for Adults in Plymouth
- Funding streams and competitions
- Virtual events and webinars
If you have any specific concerns or are in need of support, please contact us.
Last week, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak outlined additional government support to provide certainty to businesses and workers impacted by coronavirus across the UK.
Delivering a speech in Parliament, the Chancellor announced a package of measures that will continue to protect jobs and help businesses through the uncertain months ahead as we continue to tackle the spread of the virus.
The package includes:
- A new Jobs Support Scheme to protect millions of returning workers,
- Extending the Self Employment Income Support Scheme and
- 15% VAT cut for the hospitality and tourism sectors,
- Help for businesses in repaying government-backed loans.
Find out more here
If your business is impacted by an outbreak of COVID-19, it’s really important that you communicate with your staff to help support them, reassure your customers and protect your business reputation.
We’ve put together a couple of toolkits to help your business recover, they work in conjunction with the support that Plymouth City Council’s Public Health Team will offer you on operational matters.
Find out more here
The NHS COVID-19 app is part of the governments large scale coronavirus (COVID-19) testing and contact tracing programme called the NHS Test and Trace service.
This app will be used, alongside traditional contact tracing, to notify users if they come into contact with someone who later tests positive for coronavirus.
Guidance for employers and businesses
This guidance will assist employers and businesses in providing advice to staff on what you need to know, what to do if someone develops symptoms, sick pay, dependant leave and limiting the spread. See Government guidance here Guidance for Employers and Business
The Pension Regulator has put together a package of measures and guidance here The Pension Regulator (TPR)
See Acas advice for employers and employees here www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus
Guidance to help keep workplaces safe
The Government has produced guidance to help employers, employees and the self-employed understand how to work safely during the pandemic. The 8 guides set out practical steps for working safely during Coronavirus and cover a range of workplace settings. Read the full guidance here Working safely during coronavirus (Covid-19)
Join free webinars to find out more about how to make your workplace Covid secure. See BEIS Covid Working Safely Webinars
See the Better Business for All (BBfA) partnership Covid-19 Toolkits
See the following toolkits to help guide you to re-open your business and work safely:
Find out more here
Does your company provide a tech solution to health, environmental or social issues?
If you do, then Tech for Good South West want to hear from you! The newly launched – Tech for Good South West – is a free, intensive programme of export support designed to help the top tech companies from the South West of England to achieve international sales success in the US, India and/or Singapore.
Spaces on the programme are limited, and are expected to be in high demand, but successful applicants will benefit from gaining a sound understanding of these high growth markets as well as having the opportunity to meet with customers and potential partners in their area of tech.
Applications close on 7 October, so don’t delay and apply today!
Find out more here
There is now a transition period until the end of 2020 while the UK and EU negotiate additional arrangements.
Businesses are encouraged to prepare for the new arrangements for trading with the EU in January 2021.
The Heart of the South West Growth Hub have put together a dedicated webpage which is being populated with related resources for businesses to access.
Find out more here
The UK has secured a free trade agreement with Japan, which is the UK’s first major trade deal as an independent trading nation and will increase trade with Japan by an estimated £15.2 billion.
The deal is tailored to the UK economy and secures additional benefits beyond the EU-Japan trade deal, giving UK companies exporting to Japan a competitive advantage in a number of areas. It will help to create jobs and drive economic growth throughout the whole of the UK.
Find out more here
VAT arrangements are due to change significantly after the end of the transition period. This web page below examines these changes, explains what you need to consider and suggests actions to take.
Find out more here
Outset's fully-funded online workshops focusing on social media, digital marketing, sales and starting out in self-employment have been really popular, helping entrepreneurs to gain new skills for their business. They have been continuing their workshops throughout September and October and you can view the latest list here.
At Outset, they know how inspiring the idea of working for yourself can be, but also that managing your own business can sometimes be daunting – that’s why they’re here to help your clients! They can help them in a number of ways, all fully-funded including 1:1 support sessions and access to Outset Online, our e-learning platform.
Read the full newsletter here
Six companies at Plymouth Science Park have been shortlisted for the annual Tech South West Awards.
More than 145 entries were received for the prestigious event, which showcases the best innovation and talent across the region’s tech sector.
Plymouth Science Park has more finalists than any other science park in the region.
Find out more here
It goes without saying that the past six months have created a vast amount of uncertainty for hospitality and tourism businesses, and that these are extraordinary and very difficult times.
That is why we have joined in partnership with the Heart of the South West LEP, TDA and DMOs across the South West to work with ‘Be the Business’, to deliver a FREE support programme for tourism and hospitality business leaders - to rebuild their businesses and our local economies.
The programme now been redesigned and is now live, starting in October. Sign up now and find out more about the programme here>.
What’s Available?
Masterclass webinars
Starting on Tuesday 6 October, 12pm-12.45pm, a series of 8 weekly, 45-minute sessions designed to improve leadership and management skills. Focusing on practical things business leaders can immediately implement in their business.
Register here
Business surgery consultancy calls
A 1-2-1 “surgery-style” consultancy call with hospitality business strategist Jon Yantin, designed to help you plan ahead and discuss:
- Are there ways to increase revenue?
- How could you pivot or enhance your business offering?
- What can you be doing now to prepare for the future?
Find out more here
Peer-to-peer working groups
Facilitated online groups for local business leaders to discuss challenges and use combined expertise to support one another. Benefit from:
A supportive group of trusted business leaders.
- Working through real-life business challenges.
- Confidence make changes in your business.
- Development of leadership skills.
- Growing your professional network.
Find out more here
Should you require any further information about the Be the Business programme please visit , email hospitality@bethebusiness.com or contact programme lead, Alexander Rushton, on 07887 775003.
LEARN FOR FREE! Our friends at On Course South West have just extended their incredible FREE learning offer.
Throughout Autumn 2020, adults can now choose from nearly 100 free options, with nationally recognised qualifications in health & social care, business, industry and essential work-place skills now available, as well as courses in digital skills, creative skills, health and wellbeing and foreign languages - all completely free of charge.
To qualify, learners have to be over 19 and live in Plymouth or the surrounding area. If you’re interested, call On Course South West on 01752 660713 or visit www.oncoursesouthwest.co.uk for more information. Their friendly team of advisors will guide you through the options available and get you started on your learning journey.
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