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Business Grant Progress
As of today (Monday 27 April), over £16 million of government support grants has been distributed by Thurrock Council to 1290 businesses. These grants were created to help businesses stay afloat during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
It is still imperative that any business owner who thinks they're eligible for a grant but hasn't received one visits the business rates web pages of the council's website to find out more about the help on offer and update their contact and payment details through the online form.
Other support is still available to businesses in Thurrock. For more information, go to GOV.UK: Coronavirus (COVID-19) business support
Government business support finder tool
A new support finder tool will help businesses and self-employed people across the UK to quickly and easily determine what financial support is available to them during the coronavirus outbreak.
Business owners are asked to fill out a simple online questionnaire. Once completed they will then be directed to a list of all the financial support they may be eligible for.
For more information, go to GOV.UK: Business Coronavirus (COVID-19) Support Finder
Companies House support for businesses hit by COVID-19
Changes announced last week will help businesses avoid being struck off the Companies House register as they deal with the impact of COVID-19. This gives affected businesses the time they need to update their records. In addition, companies issued with a late filing penalty due to COVID-19 will have appeals treated sympathetically.
For more information, go to GOV.UK: Companies House support for businesses hit by COVID-19.
New measures to protect high street from aggressive rent collection and closure
High street shops and other companies under strain will be protected from aggressive rent collection and asked to pay what they can during the coronavirus pandemic. Government will temporarily ban the use of statutory demands and winding up orders where a company cannot pay their bills due to coronavirus.
Legislation will also be brought forward to prevent landlords using commercial rent arrears recovery (CRAR) unless 90 days or more of unpaid rent is owed. The new legislation to protect tenants will be in force until 30 June, and can be extended in line with the moratorium on commercial lease forfeiture.
For more information, go to GOV.UK: Measures to Protect UK High Streets.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
This scheme which went live last week (Mon 20 April) allows you to claim for 80% of your employee’s wages plus any employer National Insurance and pension contributions, if you have furloughed staff because of coronavirus. Over 60,000 applications were made in the first half hour.
For more information, go to GOV.UK: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Job Retention Scheme.
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) supports small and medium-sized businesses, with an annual turnover of up to £45 million, to access loans, overdrafts, invoice finance and asset finance of up to £5 million for up to 6 years.
For more information, go to GOV.UK: Apply for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme.
Can your business offer further support – online tool
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. For more information, and to offer support, go to GOV.UK: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Support from Businesses.
The new coronavirus business support hub
The hub brings together key information for businesses including funding and support, business closures, your responsibilities as an employer and managing your business during coronavirus. The hub includes information for self-employed people and sole traders.
For more information, go to GOV.UK: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Support.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) hub
A new hub containing guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE), and infection prevention and control (IPC) is now available, containing information for both health and social care settings and other workers and sectors.
For more information, go to GOV.UK: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Personal Protective Equipment.
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