There has been key updates to the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme, in addition to a range of important Government Business Support schemes.
Employers will be able to make claims through the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme from 26 May.All the information you will need to prepare can be found at the link here.
*When you land on the page, we advise you to scroll to the bottom of it to find the “claim now” button.
New updates to Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Further to its initial launch, the guidance to help employers, employees and the self-employed understand how to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic has been updated and you can find the expanded information at the link here.
Prime Minister sets out timeline for retail to reopen in June
Thousands of high street shops, department stores and shopping centres across England are set to reopen next month once they are COVID-19 secure and can show customers will be kept safe, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed. Outdoor markets and car showrooms from June 1st, and the remainder from June 15th. Each business must demonstrate it is adhering to the Guidelines on safe working set out above. You can find out further detailed information to assist you with business preparedness at the link here.
Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) expanded to include Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) and not-rateable premises
There has been an important confirmation from the Treasury that businesses who are eligible for the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) are now eligible to apply for the scheme. You can find further information at the link here.
Funding has also been distributed to local authorities to open the scheme up to those working from shared office spaces or in properties without a rateable value. Known as he Top up to Local Business Grant Funds Scheme, you can find more information at the link here.
£50 million boost to support the recovery of our high streets
The Reopening High Streets Safely Fund will help councils in England introduce a range of safety measures in a move to get people back to work and customers back to the shops.The Fund will provide councils with additional funding to support their business communities with measures that enable safe trading in public places. The Fund will particularly focus on our high streets, as well as other public places that are at the heart of towns and cities gearing up to reopen as safe, welcoming spaces. Please find the information as to whether there is funding available to assist your transition back to opening public-facing print retail counters at the link here.
You can also see the specific funds assigned to your local authority at the link here.
Billion pound support package for innovative firms hit by coronavirus
UK businesses driving innovation and development will be helped through the Coronavirus outbreak with a £1.25 billion government support package, further details of which have now been released and can be found at the link here.
There are a number of ongoing competitions to assess where they Government should place the funding that is available, which you can find at the link here.
Government invests £35 million to protect critical freight routes
In good news for our industry, vital freight routes into, out of and around the UK will continue to run smoothly, thanks to a multi-million-pound government scheme to help ensure critical goods, such as food and medical supplies, can move freely.
The government has signed agreements with 6 operators to provide up to £35 million to help ensure there is enough freight capacity to prevent disruption to the flow of goods.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “From the very beginning of the outbreak, we have committed to do whatever it takes to minimise the disruption caused by COVID-19.
“By taking this action, we have helped protect the movement of goods and services in and out of the UK, safeguarding the flow of supplies across the Union.”
