This email is part of a regular update I send out to businesses in Scunthorpe. If you have not received this email directly from me please click here to subscribe to my Business newsletter.
Good afternoon,
Happy New Year and I hope that 2022 proves to be more successful than ever for our local economy. I am writing to update you on the upcoming changes to COVID restrictions for businesses.
Firstly, as the number of cases continue to fall, the Government will be ending existing "Plan B" restrictions (introduced in December) from Thursday. This means:
- Face coverings will no longer be required by law in any setting. This legal requirement will be replaced with guidance encouraging their use in crowded and enclosed spaces, with people who you do not regularly have contact with. Any local introduction of face coverings will be subject to routine review and removed at the earliest opportunity.
- Venues and events will no longer be required by law to utilise the NHS Covid Pass. However, the NHS Covid Pass can still be used on a voluntary basis as it could prior to the implementation of "Plan B".
I hope that this announcement will allow businesses to prepare for the changes on Thursday.
Since my last Business Update, you may also be aware that the Government has lowered the duration of the self-isolation period for people with COVID-19 in England from 7 to 5 full days, as long as they test negative on Day 5 and Day 6. After a negative test on Day 6, people are allowed to leave isolation. Those isolating must have received 2 negative rapid lateral flow tests on 2 consecutive days to end their isolation period. This decision, based on data provided by the UK Health Security Agency, should further limit the impact of COVID-related absences for businesses.
Please see below further updates on the following:
- Grants of up to £5,000 available to SMEs to increase cycling uptake amongst employees
- The Temporary Removal of penalties for late filing of online Self Assessment Tax Returns
- Launch of Help to Grow Digital
- The Response I received from the Minister after campaigning for more COVID Business Support.
- The Government's launch of the 'Join the Skills Revolution' campaign
Grants of up to £5,000 available to SMEs to increase cycling uptake amongst employees
North Lincolnshire Council is providing funding of up to £5,000 per business to build infrastructure that encourages employees to cycle to work. Projects could include cycle parking, bike tool stations and lockers.
To apply for this scheme, please email traffic@northlincs.gov.uk. The deadline to apply is Monday 21st February.
The Temporary Removal of penalties for late filing of online Self Assessment Tax Returns
HMRC has announced that late filing penalties for online Self Assessment Tax Returns submitted after 31st January will be waived, as long as Returns are submitted by 28th February.
In addition, late payment penalties will be waived to those who pay the tax due in full or set up a payment plan after January 31st, as long as this is done by 1 April 2022. This means the 5% payment penalty on unpaid tax outstanding on 3rd March will not apply. However, interest will still be charged from 1 February on any amounts outstanding.
You can find out more about these temporary changes at gov.uk.
Launch of Help to Grow Digital
Thanks to the Chancellor's Help To Grow Digital Scheme, businesses can now access free and impartial online support for software that improves business performance and efficiency. Those businesses that employ between 5-249 employees and have been trading for more than 12 months will also be able to get a discount of up to 50% on the first-time purchase of approved software, worth up to £5,000. You can read more about this Scheme here.
The new Help to Grow Digital Scheme is in addition to the existing Help To Grow Management Scheme, which provides businesses with 12-weeks of virtual and in-person management learning with peers, AND the opportunity to develop a bespoke business growth plan along with 1:1 support from a business mentor. The programme is 90% funded by the Government and the price is £750. Find out more here.
The Response I received from the Minister after campaigning for COVID business support
As you will know, I wrote to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in December to highlight the impact of the Omicron variant on local businesses, and made the case for support.
I have now received a response from the Minister, which you can view on my website. It was pleasing to see that the government was responsive to the views of local businesses and has taken steps to mitigate unprecedented business costs. You can see more information on the full package of support available, as well as other local support schemes, at investinnorthlincolnshire.com/coronavirus.
The Government launches the 'Join the Skills Revolution' campaign
To encourage uptake of the skills programmes that the Government offers, the Government have launched the 'Join the Skills Revolution' campaign.
As part of the campaign, the government has launched a webpage outlining all the training and employment schemes currently available. I would strongly encourage you to take a look at the website interface, which shows the costs (some free), benefits and timescale of each scheme.
As ever, if you would like to raise any further concerns, or are in need of business support, please do not be afraid to get in touch with me at holly.mumbycroft.mp@parliament.uk.
Take care,
Holly
Click here to write to me via my website
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
- NEW: North Lincs Council Grants announced - 31/12/2021
- Business Update 21/12/2021: One-off grant and discretionary grant announced, SSP rebate reinstated
- Business Update 17/12/21- New Covid rules for businesses, NLC Start-Up Grant and Sustainability Grant
- Local Hospitality and Tourism Fund open, Key takeaways from last week's Budget, Campaign Success on Lorry Park Facilities- 03/11/2021
- Government consultation on Vaccine Passports- COVID-19 Business update 28/09/2021
- Share your Kickstart experiences, £220 million to reduce emissions & flexible working consultation launched- COVID-19 Business update 24/09/2021
- Important: Local DWP Kickstart event, updated Furlough and SEISS information, key conslutations - COVID-19 Business update 20/08/2021
- 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