 West Berkshire Council is inviting local businesses to attend a free 30 minute online Budget Briefing session at 10am on Friday, 12 March as part of the Council’s ongoing support for the local business community. The webinar will outline the key takeaways and benefits for businesses contained within the 2021/22 local and national budgets.
We will also discuss the additional support that businesses can expect to receive following the Government's funding announcements.
Book a free ticket for the budget webinar here
Following the webinar, officers from the Economic Development and Business Rates teams will host an online surgery from 10.30am to 11.30am. Individuals can book a 10 minute private appointment to discuss business rates and grants or other budget-related issues that may affect their business.
To book a free, 10 minute private appointment, email:
Gabrielle.Mancini@westberks.gov.uk
Following the Government's announcement on 22 February, the Local Restrictions Support Grant has been extended until 31 March to support rate-paying businesses that have been forced to close due to the pandemic.
The West Berkshire Council Business Rates team has now automatically distributed these payments to all eligible local businesses, working hard to get critical support out as fast as possible.
We are awaiting guidance around the business support package announced in the Budget on 3 March, and we will update this webpage when details are released.
We are also continuing to accept applications for the Additional Restrictions Grant for restricted businesses that have not received other forms of support, or have been severely impacted by the pandemic.
 The 2021 Budget announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak on Wednesday 3 March contained a number of measures to help the UK economy recover from the economic shock of Covid-19. Below are some key positive measures for businesses:
Recovery
- The new Super-deduction will allow businesses to deduct 25p for every £1 they invest in new plant, machinery and equipment from April 2021
- The new Recovery Loan Scheme will support businesses of all sizes to access Government backed loans of between £25,001 and £10 million until December 2021
- The Coronavirus Job Support Scheme, or Furlough, has been extended until September 2021 throughout the UK
- The Film & TV Production Restart Scheme will continue to insure UK shoots for a further 6 months, with a total value of £500m
Apprenticeships
- Incentives to hire new apprentices have been extended to September 2021, and business will now receive £3,000 per new apprentice, regardless of age
Self employed
- The Self Employed Income Support Scheme has been extended until September 2021 with a fourth lump sum payment available. This will now also be available to people who became self employed in the 2019-2020 tax year
 West Berkshire Council has set up Lateral Flow Testing in the community (Community Testing) and we would like to invite all local businesses (under 50 employees) to make use of it.
Rapid lateral flow testing is a highly effective tool to prevent the spread of the virus within your workforce and between homes.
The test is only available to those who do not have Covid-19 symptoms.
Our four testing Community Testing sites are located at: Highwood Copse Primary School (Newbury), Thatcham Rugby Club, Hungerford Rugby Club, Burghfield Community and Sports Association.
Book your test here
Large businesses who have 50 or more employees may register to receive free lateral flow testing kits for their employees to use at the workplace.
Register your business to receive kits
Thanks for reading! The West Berkshire Business Newsletter will be back with regular bulletins.
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