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 COVID-19 Business newsletter.
Good afternoon,
Earlier this week, the PM announced that he hopes to open schools at the earliest by 8th March. This date is based on the earliest date for vaccine immunity to kick in for the 4 most vulnerable categories set by the JCVI - we have our pathway, albeit a long one, out of this.
With the new, more infections variant presenting a challenge to our previous strategies to contain the virus, our vaccination programme continues at pace.
The PM has also announced that there will be a "roadmap" out of this pandemic, and I will, of course, provide an update once I hear anything official.
Kickstart Scheme minimum limit removed
You may remember me referring to the scheme in a previous update, where employers can take on Government-sponsored apprentices. The Government has now removed the 30-placement minimum.
How does it work?
You take on an apprentice aged 16-24 on Universal Credit to teach them your trade. In return, you may apply for
- £1500 grant per placement to cover admin costs
- and the Government will pay NI PLUS 100% of National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months
This must not cost an existing employee a job, or be used to replace existing vacancies (ie it has to be a "new job").
Those creating fewer than 30 Kickstart jobs may apply through a "Kickstart Gateway", which will provide support for your Kickstart application.
As you can imagine this is something that I am extremely keen for local employers to take up - do let me know if you have further questions and I will do my best to help.
Click here to learn more about the Kickstart Scheme
Changes to the Prompt Payment Code (PPC)
- The government has strengthened guidelines for PPC to shorten payment deadlines, to crack down on delayed invoices owed to small businesses.
- More information can be found here.
! DEADLINES !
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme deadline TONIGHT
- The deadline for the third instalment is 29th January (TODAY)
- Information and how to apply can be found here.
- Information regarding the fourth SEISS grant will be published on the 3rd of March.
Discretionary grant deadline midnight TONIGHT
- More info and how to apply here
- Read my previous Business Update for some helpful tips to apply.
Self-Assessment Tax Returns THIS SUNDAY
- The current deadline for self-assessment tax returns is 31st January.
- The government has removed late filing penalty and has granted an extension, if needed, until 28th February. This will incur interest charged from the 1st February.
- More information can be found on the relevant Government website.
Job Retention Scheme Detail Publication
- HMRC will publish details regarding JRS claims, if you do not want these details published, you can request otherwise.
- To prevent your details being published, you must prove:
- There is a serious risk of violence or intimidation to anyone associated with your business or the people they live with.
- For more information and to submit a request, visit the relevant Government website.
Import VAT
- For VAT registered businesses importing goods from outside the UK.
- The Government has published Information about when to account for import VAT on your VAT return.
- This should allow your business to include import VAT on the same VAT return, rather than pay and claim it back.
- Information on how to file your VAT return to account for import VAT can be found here.
Off-Payroll Working Rule Changes
- The new changes come into effect 6th April.
- These changes will apply to:
- Large and medium-sized non-public sector organisations who engage contractors who work through their own limited company or other intermediaries
- employment agencies who supply such contractors
- Help and Support regarding the new changes can be found here.
- HMRC should be emailing businesses regarding the new changes.
New Jobs Plan
- The Government has launched a page of new resources to help people find jobs and receive new qualifications.
- The page includes:
- Searching and applying for jobs, apprenticeships and placements.
- Learning new skills, including free courses.
- Resources for people out of work.
Covid-19 Vaccination
- There are a series of informational posters concerning the vaccine.
- These can be found here.
Reporting back to you: Last week's Hospitality Roundtable
As promised, please find below an update from last week's Hospitality Roundtable with the Minister.
- We've asked for an extension of the current VAT and Business Rates arrangements which the Minister took note of. These decisions will be subject to Treasury approval but I will continue to push for this.
- We've asked for a significant cut in beer duty, and I will follow this up by joining colleagues in writing to the Chancellor.
- The Minister took note of our request for an exit roadmap, that Hospitality requires time to prepare and to get the supply chain together. It is good to see that the PM has announced plans for a "Roadmap" out of this pandemic this week which I will follow closely.
- We have also raised that businesses with higher fixed-costs will need more support - this is even more pertinent due to the current (and hopefully last) lockdown.
- One colleague has also raised the need to ensure that banks take coronavirus loans and repayments in context for otherwise robust businesses when making decisions in the future - and I am fully in support of this.
Is that all?
No. As you will remember from previous updates the Discretionary Grants, Closed-Business top-up, current extended VAT arrangements all took some time to lobby and push for.
This is ongoing work and I will continue to work with colleagues and push for it. There will be more meetings to attend, more questions to ask, more letters to write, and I will continue to keep you updated.
As ever, all the correspondence that I have received from you have been helpful in informing my actions - please continue to write to me if there is anything else you would like me to raise.
Take care,
Holly
Click here to provide your feedback on my business survey
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
- 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
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- 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 Int