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,
Today's business update covers:
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The Government's Unlockdown Roadmap'
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Closed business & Discretionary grants
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VAT deferral scheme
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Furlough/ Job Retention Scheme FAQs
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IR35
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Business rates review
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Scams
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Mortgage borrowers with inactive lenders
'Unlockdown roadmap' released
You may have heard that earlier today the government released its highly anticipated "Unlockdown strategy". You can find the full details of the plan here, and read the PM's statement in full here.
Here's the official summary of the strategy at a glance:
This is a long document and as you can imagine I will need some time to read through this in full before I raise issues I may find with the government. Do have a look at the full document and let me know of your thoughts.
Click here to provide your views on my 'Unlockdown Roadmap' survey
North Lincs Council Closed Business Grant & Discretionary Grant
As you can imagine, due to the sheer number of transactions needed to be made it will be difficult for NLC to make payments on a week-by-week basis.
I understand that North Lincs Council has been waiting for today's update to re-assess when the reopening for key businesses is to make another lump-sum grant.
Edit 23/02: NLC Confirmed closed business grant as below, furlough grant figures to be confirmed
Closed Business Grant
The next closed grant payment will cover a 44 day period from the 16th Februrary 2021 - 31 March 2021 and the amounts are as below:
- £2,096 for businesses with a rateable value under £15,000
- £3,143 for businesses with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
- £4,714 for properties with a rateable value over £51,000
The funding will be released to North Lincolnshire Council within 7 – 10 working days and we will pay the grants out as soon as possible after this
VAT deferral scheme
If you deferred paying VAT due in the period from 20 March to 30 June 2020 and can’t afford to pay by 31 March 2021, you can join the VAT deferral new payment scheme and pay your deferred VAT over a longer period.
The online service will open on 23 February 2021 and close on 21 June 2021. You can make up to 11 monthly instalments, interest-free.
You can join the scheme online without the need to call on GOV.UK when it opens. If you need more time to pay their deferred VAT you should contact HMRC.
Furlough claims
The deadline has passed for the January Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, however, if you have a reasonable excuse for not meeting the deadline, you could still claim. Reasonable excuses and more information can be found here. The deadline for February claims is 15th March.
IR35
HMRC has issued a briefing on how it will support affected organisations to comply with changes to the off-payroll working rules (IR35) from 6 April 2021 and how it will intervene if customers deliberately don’t comply. You can read about it here.
Business Rates Review
The report detailing the review of business rates will be published in the Autumn.
A word about scams
Stay vigilant about scams, which may mimic government messages as a way of appearing authentic. Check GOV.UK for its scams checklist, find out how to report tax scams and get information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact. You can forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599.
Access the National Cyber Security Centre’s guide on how to stay secure online and protect yourself and your business against cyber crime.
Mortgage borrowers with Inactive Lenders
- The FCA is increasing support for borrowers with inactive lenders.
- These will allow those to have similar flexibility as ones with active lenders, this should make it easier to switch lenders.
- More information about the changes can be found here.
Existing Support
There is a published list of all existing support offered and can be found on the Government website.
HMRC's Frequently asked questions about the CJRS
I have been asked to forward the information below to local businesses. I hope this helps answer some of the queries regarding the Furlough Scheme.
HMRC's Frequently asked questions about the CJRS
Will information for each branch of an employer’s company be published separately?
If there is more than one PAYE scheme attached to a company, we will publish their information together under one Company Registration Number on GOV.UK.
How does an employer ask HMRC not to publish their claim details?
If publishing an employer’s claim details could leave someone at risk of violence or intimidation, they can request for these not to be published by completing the online application form.
Employers need to submit their request by 23 February at the latest to allow us time to process the request before the publication date. Agents can do this on their client’s behalf.
We will not publish an employer’s details until we have informed them of our decision on their request. Employers only need to make this request once, as the decision will cover all CJRS claim periods starting from 1 December 2020.
What happens if an employer pays back their grants?
If an employer chooses to pay back the money they have received, their details will be removed from the list of claims when it is next published (usually in the following month).
Can an employee work elsewhere if they’re furloughed?
If an employee has more than one employer, they can be furloughed for each job. Employees can be furloughed in one job (and receive that furloughed payment) but continue working for another employer and receive their normal wages.
An employee can also take part in volunteer work during hours when they are furloughed, as long as it’s for another employer or organisation which is not connected with their own employer.
Can employers claim for employees who are training?
Employers can claim for employees who undertake training while they are furloughed, as long as they don’t provide services to, or generate revenue for, their business or a linked or associated organisation. More information is available on GOV.UK.
There’s more information on training that is available for employees on GOV.UK.
Can employers furlough an employee if they are unable to work because they have caring responsibilities or are classed as clinically extremely vulnerable?
If an employee asks to be furloughed, employers can claim for them under the CJRS if:
- they are off work or on reduced hours due to caring responsibilities resulting from coronavirus, such as caring for children who are at home as a result of school or childcare closing, or
- they are clinically extremely vulnerable, or in the highest risk group for severe illness from coronavirus according to the public health guidance for their area.
For other circumstances where they can furlough an employee, go to check which employees you can put on furlough.
The decision to offer furlough rests with the employer.
I hope you will find today's Business Update useful. As ever, please do not hesitate to write back to me providing your feedback.
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
-
Kickstart scheme, Roundtable report, key deadlines - COVID-19 Business update 29/01/2021
- 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