This update is part of a regular newsletter I send out to businesses in Scunthorpe. If you have not received this directly from me, please click here to subscribe to my COVID-19 Business newsletter.
Good afternoon,
Please find below today’s Business Update.
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Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme claims for August
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Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant claims now open
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Launch of UK Geographical Indication Schemes
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Details of Events Insurance Scheme released
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HMRC Review on Covid tax policies and process easements
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Closure of Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system planned for 2023
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Energy Retail Strategy published
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Hydrogen Strategy and Consultation
LOCAL KICKSTART SCHEME ONLINE EVENT NEXT FRIDAY:
Hosted by the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP)
The message below has been shared with me by our local DWP team. As someone who has worked with local employers setting up their Kickstart programme, I would highly encourage those interested to attend. You can register by clicking on the link below.
Supporting local businesses and young people with the Kickstart Scheme
Please join Katie Herron & Stephen Gilmour from ‘ongo’ who are both a gateway organisation and an employer. They will provide you with their personal insight in how the Kickstart scheme is making a difference to young people.
Dave Walkington from the DWP, will also show you how the Kickstart Scheme enables employers to create exciting opportunities within their business and support young people.
Friday 27th August 2021 - 10:00 -11:00 – Microsoft Teams Event
Register your interest using the link below and find out how this scheme will benefit your business.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dwp-employer-kickstart-event-north-lincolnshire-tickets-166498899691
If you have any questions, please email: nick.gregory1@dwp.gov.uk
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme claims for August
Claims for furlough payments for August need to be made by Tuesday 14 September. Then, September will be the last month of the CJRS.
For August, employers can claim 60% of furloughed employees' usual wages for the hours not worked, up to a cap of £1,875 per month. This needs to be supplemented by an employer contribution of 20% from their own funds so that furloughed employees are paid at least 80% of their usual wages in total for the hours they do not work (up to a cap of £2,500 a month).
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant claims now open
The claims service for the fifth SEISS grant is now open and those eligible have until 30 September 2021 to submit their claim.
Please note that HMRC has faced a delay in processing some 2020-21 tax returns where SEISS grant payments have not been reported in the way expected, for example where HMRC records show a different amount was paid than the amount declared on the return. HMRC now automatically correct the grant amounts entered on 2020-21 Self Assessment returns when processing them so this process should speed up.
Launch of UK Geographical Indication (GI) Schemes
The new GI schemes have finally had their first products registered- providing protection to food and drink by officially marking its authenticity and origin and avoiding imitation.
The Schemes cover food and agricultural products, spirits, wines and aromatised wines. All products that were registered under the EU’s GI schemes before 1 January 2021 continue to be protected under the UK GI schemes, but new applications are welcome. Please get in touch if you need help applying.
You can read the Minister's letter to MPs here.
Details of Events Insurance Scheme released
The live events sector will now be supported with a government-backed insurance scheme worth over £750 million, which will help businesses plan events through to next year. This is something I have raised with Ministers in the past and am delighted to see this launched.
This is for ticketed events open to the general public and located in the UK, and there are a number of insurers involved.
HMRC review on Covid tax policies and process easements
As you will know, HMRC has introduced a lot of Covid related tax policies and 'process easements' to help customers fulfil the usual returns during the pandemic- over 80 rule changes in total. These are now being reviewed with a view to adopting some permanently and ending others. I will follow this review closely and keep you updated in future updates.
As ever, if you have any specific views on these policies do get in touch and I will raise them with Ministers.
Closure of Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system planned for 2003
To provide clarity to traders, it has been confirmed that HMRC will be closing its Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system on 31 March 2023. After this, all businesses will need to declare goods through the Customs Declaration Service (CDS).
I am sure that many exporters will have interacted with the CDS before as it is currently used for Northern Ireland and Rest of World declarations and has already processed more than one million declarations since 2018.
CHIEF will be closed down in two stages:
- 30 September 2022: import declarations close on CHIEF
- 31 March 2023: export declarations close on CHIEF / National Exports System (NES)
For more information, the Minister of State has written to MPs, and you can read the letter on my website.
Energy Retail Strategy published
Last month, the Energy Retail Strategy was published. This looks to create fairer and greener energy bills through measures like ending the 'loyalty penalty', where the longest-serving customers end up paying the highest tariffs. It has also been confirmed that the Energy Retail Cap could extend beyond 2023 if necessary.
The Minister wrote to me on this Strategy, with the letter shared on my website.
A consultation has been launched on opt-in and testing opt-out switching whilst the government has published its response to the Flexible and responsive energy retail markets consultation, which has been incorporated into this strategy.
Hydrogen Strategy and Consultation launched
The Hydrogen Strategy has also been released, working with industry to blend the uptake of hydrogen into our gas energy supply. This supports our aim to have a 5GW hydrogen production capacity by 2030. You can read the Minister's letter to MPs on this on my website.
Three consultations on hydrogen uptake have also been launched and I would encourage all stakeholders to contribute:
- on a Hydrogen Business Model to stimulate private investment in new low carbon hydrogen projects
- on design of £240 million Net Zero Hydrogen Fund (NZHF) to support new hydrogen production projects
- Consultation on a UK Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard that will define what is meant by low carbon hydrogen, allowing us to support its supply in the UK.
As always, I'm here if you have any questions or if there are any further issues you would like me to raise with Government.
Holly
Click here to provide your feedback via my contact form
PREVIOUS UPDATES
- COVID-19 SUPPORT DIRECTORY FOR INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES
- useful local mental health support contacts
- Funding Opportunities for Scunthorpe Charities and NFPs/ New Business Grants
- Important consultations, quarantine rules for industries, new allergen regulations and CJRS update- COVID-19 Business update 27/07/2021
- Covid Guidance from Monday, Hospitality Recovery Plan and info for social care providers- 16/07/2021
- Changes in restrictions, final reminder for discretionary grant 15/06/2021
- Discretionary grant up, Farmers Consultation, CJRS elgibility 28/05/2021
- NLC Schemes, 4th SEISS grant, Discretionary Grant update - COVID-19 Business update 05/05/2021
- Updates to work safety guidance, Register for FREE weekly tests, Grants and other business support schemes - COVID-19 Business update 08/04/2021
- Ready to reopen Scunthorpe, FREE lateral flow tests for biz with over 50 employees, SME Brexit Support Fund - COVID-19 Business update 24/03/2021
- Weddings and Sports roadmap + Big update covering support schemes, tax changes, and policy updates - COVID-19 Business update 16/03/2021
- Special Business update - Budget overview - COVID-19 Business update 03/03/2021
- Lockdown grants update, Important Furlough and Self-Employed Income Support Scheme deadlines - COVID-19 Business update 08/01/2021
- Lockdown Grant Details - COVID-19 Business Update 05/01/2021
- Discretionary grant update, notes from Weddings meeting, lower self-isolation period- COVID-19 Business Update 14/12/2020
- Tier 3 Grant open, Tier reviews, outbreak control support and wet pubs grant- COVID-19 Business Update 4/12/20Tier 3 restrictions, new SEISS up - COVID-19 Business Update 26/11/2020
- COVID Winter plan, furlough changes, self-isolation payment - COVID-19 Business Update 24/11/2020
- Discretionary grant released - COVID-19 Business Update 13/11/2020
- Chancellor's announcement updates, Discretionary Grant confirmed, industry guidelines - COVID-19 Business Update 06/11/2020
- Lockdown support and grants - COVID-19 Business Update 04/11/2020
- COVID-19 Business Update 23/10/2020- Chancellor’s IMPROVED Winter Support Package
- Coronavirus Business Update 22.09.20- Chancellor's Winter Support Package
- Coronavirus Business Update 22/09/20- Today's updates and key guidances
- COVID-19 Business Update 08/09/2020- Feedback from hospitality industry needed, job creation schemes available for your business
- COVID-19 Business Update 09/07/2020- Further reopening of businesses, eat out scheme details, green homes grants
- Important update: Chancellor's statement and what it means for you - 08/07/2020
- Quick update - full list of businesses, guidance available - 24/06/2020
- Further opening of key sectors, self-employed support - COVID-19 Business update 23/06/2020
- NLC Discretionary Business Grants now open for application - COVID-19 Business update 01/06/2020
- COVID-19 Business update 29/05/2020 -Important update on furlough, Self-Employed income support scheme EXTENDED
- COVID-19 Business update 26/05/2020- Retail update, tax clarifications, claim for SSP
- COVID-19 Business update 14/05/2020- Major housing update, holiday entitlement guidance, guidance for discretionary council grant released - COVID-19 Business update
- COVID-19 Business update 13/05/2020- Furlough scheme extended, health and safety priority
- COVID-19 Business Update 11/05/20- Details on today's announcements, how to make your workplace "Covid-Safe"
- COVID-19 Business update 04/05/2020- Bounce back loans available NOW, Council to get discretion for grants, further info for employees
- COVID-19 Business update 27/04/2020- New 100% backed loans for small businesses, Furlough scheme feedback
- COVID-19 Business update 15/04/2020- Date set for furlough scheme (get ready!), more info for the self-employed
- COVID-19 Business update 03/04/2020- Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans, Industry updates
- COVID-19 Business update 27/03/2020- Important update for employers: more details on "furlough"/ "80% scheme"
- COVID-19 Business update 26/03/2020- Self-employed details, letter to Chancellor and Business Secretary
- COVID-19 Business update 24/03/2020- Important guidelines and updates
- COVID-19 Business update 23/03/2020- Lockdown and further information
- COVID-19 Business update 22/03/2020- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, my pledge to the self-employed
- COVID-19 Business update 20/03/2020- URGENT UPDATE
- COVID-19 Business update 18/03/2020- Business Interruption Loan Scheme, Business Rates Holiday, Small Business Grants