COVID-19 Businesses and Employers Bulletin
This bulletin provides the latest information for employers and businesses on coronavirus (COVID-19). All coronavirus business support information can be found at gov.uk/business-support.
Support Grants for businesses in England
Coronavirus grant due to national restrictions (for closed businesses): The Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG (Closed) Addendum) supports businesses in England that have been required to close due to the national restrictions between 5 November and 2 December 2020. Eligible businesses may be entitled to a cash grant from their local council for each 28-day period under national restrictions. To check your eligibility and for more information, click here.
Coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant (for closed businesses): Businesses in England that were open as usual and were then required to close due to local restrictions (local COVID alert level: Very High) may be eligible for the local restrictions support grant. Eligible businesses are entitled to a cash grant from their local council for each 14-day period they are closed. To check your eligibility and for more information, click here.
Check if you're eligible for the coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant (for open businesses): The Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG (Open)) supports businesses that have been severely impacted due to temporary local restrictions. Businesses that have not had to close but which have been severely impacted due to local restrictions (Local COVID alert levels: High or Very High) may be eligible for LRSG (Open). Eligible businesses may be entitled to a cash grant from their local council for each 28-day period under local restrictions. To check your eligibility and for more information, click here.
Check if you're eligible for the coronavirus Additional Restrictions Grant: The Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) supports businesses that are not covered by other grant schemes or where additional funding is needed. The scheme provides local councils with grant funding to support closed businesses that do not directly pay business rates as well as businesses that do not have to close but which are impacted. In addition, larger grants can be given than those made through LRSG (Closed). To check your eligibility and for more information, click here.
Check if your nightclub, dance hall or adult entertainment business is eligible for a coronavirus grant due to national restrictions: Businesses in England that have been required to close due to the national restrictions introduced in March 2020, and which have not been able to re-open, may be eligible for Local Restrictions Support Grant. Eligible businesses are entitled to a cash grant from their local council for each 14 day period they are closed. For more information and to check your eligibility, click here.
New Guidance
Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan: The Bounce Back Loan Scheme enables smaller businesses to access finance more quickly during the coronavirus outbreak. New options are available to top up existing loans, extend the loan period, make interest-only repayments, or pause repayments.
The scheme is open to applications until 31 January 2021. If you already have a Bounce Back Loan but borrowed less than you were entitled to, you can top up your existing loan to your maximum amount. You must request the top-up by 31 January 2021. For more information about the scheme click here.
Claiming Statutory Sick Pay paid to employees due to Coronavirus: Find out if you can use the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme to claim back employees’ coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). The online service to claim back SSP is now available. For more information on who can use the scheme, click here.
Restaurants, pubs and cafes will get automatic freedoms to provide takeaway services for another year. This was due to end on 23 March 2021 but will now be extended by another year. To know more about the automatic freedoms to provide takeaway services for another year, click here
How HMRC will continue to support customers and the economy: HMRC’s work has been at the centre of the government’s response to COVID-19. HMRC have issued a briefing on how they will work with customers and stakeholders over the coming months, while COVID-19 continues to impact the country.
The UK Transition: time is running out
With just 50 days to go until the UK’s new start, attend one of our webinars to help prepare your business.
Using personal data from 1 January 2021 – 11am, Wednesday 18 November, and the on-demand – register here.
Business travel and investing or establishing in the EU - 11am, Wednesday 25 November, and then on-demand - register here.
Watch other sector-specific webinars on-demand here and register for all transition webinars here. For the latest transition information direct to your inbox, sign up to the Transition Readiness Business Bulletin here.
Updated Guidance
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Guidance has been updated with details of how to claim for periods after 1 November 2020. 30 November 2020 is the last day employers can submit or change claims for periods ending on or before 31 October 2020. Eligibility criteria have been made clearer for employees who are made redundant on or after 23 September 2020 and you have re-employed and employees that have a fixed-term contract that expired after 23 September. The dates relating to TUPE eligibility have also been corrected.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - Company directors with an annual pay period: Guidance for company directors with an annual pay period has been updated here
Companies House: You can now appeal a late filing penalty online here. For the latest Companies House information, click here
Businesses in Scotland: Information for Scottish businesses has been updated to reflect updates to UK government business support from 5 November. For more information, click here.
Guidance for Restaurants, pubs, bars, and takeaway services: Guidance on working safely during coronavirus has been updated. Hospitality venues like restaurants, bars and pubs must close, but can still provide takeaway and delivery services. Sale of alcohol is permitted via pre-order for collection or delivery services only. Anyone who can work from home, should and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals should not attend work if they can’t work from home for this period of restrictions. For more information, click here.
Travel
Freight exemption removed for UK haulage drivers arriving from Denmark: UK haulage drivers arriving from Denmark are now required to self-isolate on entry to England. All non-British national or resident travellers who had been in or through Denmark in the last 14 days will now be denied entry upon arrival. Non-UK resident HGV drivers have now been added to those restrictions, while all passenger vessels and accompanied freight from Denmark will be halted. For more information, click here.
Up to date travel advice is available here, including information about countries that are currently part of the UK travel corridor.