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 evening,
Please find below today’s Business Update.
• Local Initiative: “Ready to reopen” in Scunthorpe
• Free "useful local contacts" leaflets
• Restart Grant
• SEISS 4
• Deadline next Wed: FREE lateral flow tests for businesses
• Consultation: Audit regime overhaul
• Furlough Scheme : Deadlines
• Furlough Scheme : Extension details
• £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund opens for applications
• Reminder: Tax-Free Childcare
Local Initiative: “Ready to reopen” in Scunthorpe
As we move closer to the next phases of lockdown, I am keen to showcase the progress local businesses have made in preparation to reopen. If you would like me to feature your business, please provide me with a video or some photos, and details on
- When are you planning to reopen
- What measures have you put in place to keep your venue safe
- What are you most looking forward to when you reopen
- Whether you have a social media page
I’ll try to include these “Ready to reopen” features on my Facebook and Business Updates.
Free "useful local contacts" leaflets
I’ve recently secured some contact leaflets for my office. If you own a public-facing venue and would like to display and provide some of these on-site let me know and I will send them over.
Restart Grant
I am aware that businesses are very keen to know more details regarding the Restart Grant, and those previously entitled to Discretionary Grants have been asking for clarity. I have been raising both of these issues with NLC and will let you know the moment I get further details.
SEISS 4
As I have said previously I am aware that the payment schedule for SEISS 4 may cause cash flow issues. I have already raised it with the Treasury and will continue to do so again.
Deadline next Wed: FREE lateral flow tests for businesses with over 50 employees
- If you have employees who can’t work from home you can sign up for free, rapid workplace tests
- Free tests will be provided until the end of June 2021.
- DEADLINE for registration: 31st March 2021.
- Order tests and register here.
Consultation: Audit regime overhaul
- Creation of a new regulator with a new audit profession.
- Increase the accountability of company directors of serious company failings.
- This will drive up quality and standards and increase effectiveness.
- More information can be found here.
- The open consultation can be found here.
Furlough Scheme : Deadlines
- Claims for March 2021 are now open for submission, before 14th April 2021.
- Claims can be made before, during or after payroll has been processed.
- If you have a reasonable excuse, you may submit a late claim for February.
- Calculate how much you can claim here.
- More information can be found here.
Furlough Scheme : Extension details
- The CJRS (Furlough) scheme has been extended until the end of September 2021.
- From 1st May 2021, employees on PAYE payroll from 2nd March 2021 can be claimed for.
- The scheme will pay 80% of employees’ usual wages for the hours not worked, up to a cap of £2,500 per month, up to the end of June 2021.
- From July, CJRS grants will cover 70% of employees’ usual wages for the hours not worked, up to a cap of £2,187.50.
- In August and September, this will then reduce to 60% of employees’ usual wages up to a cap of £1,875.
- During the time employees are on furlough, they must receive at least 80% pay for hours not worked, the shortfall must be paid for by the employer.
- More information can be found here.
£20 million SME Brexit Support Fund opens for applications
- Smaller businesses can apply for grants of up to £2,000.
- This is to help adapt to new customs and tax rules when trading with the EU.
- Small and medium-sized businesses that trade solely with the EU – and are therefore new to importing and exporting processes – are encouraged to apply for the grants.
- To be eligible, businesses must import or export goods between Great Britain and the EU, or move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
- How to apply and more information can be found here.
Reminder: Tax-Free Childcare
- Families using Tax-Free Childcare accounts to pay for childcare will receive up to £500 every 3 months.
- Anybody with children up to 11, (17 if their child is living with a disability) is eligible.
- Receive a 20% top-up when paying childcare through the account.
- More information can be found here.
I hope you have found today's update helpful. As ever, please do not hesitate to get back to me if there is anything I can helpw ith. There's no issue too small to bring to my attention, and I will try my best to answer your queries or point you in the right direction.
Take care,
Holly