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 morning,
Please find below today’s Business Update.
- Ready to Reopen Scunthorpe
- Updates to "Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)" Guidance
- Grants, loans, funds, and business support schemes
- The Government's "Plan for Jobs"
- Being your voice
Ready to Reopen Scunthorpe
As per my previous Business Update, I am keen to showcase what local businesses are doing to reopen safely. This applies to businesses that would have reopened/ or are in the process of reopening. Some have expressed interest and I was able to post one from local business Dramarama on my Facebook last week.
I'm keen to do this in the upcoming weeks, so if you would like me to feature your business, please provide me with a video or some photos, and some information 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
Do look at Dramarama's video on my Facebook which will provide a good guide on what you can say.
Updates to "Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)" Guidance
The government has updated its covid-secure work safety guidance to reflect the latest advice. Please have a look at the links below and do get back in touch if there is anything else I can help to clarify.
- Close contact services
- Construction and other outdoor work
- Factories, plants and warehouses
- Heritage locations
- Hotels and other guest accommodation
- Labs and research facilities
- Offices and contact centres
- Other people's homes.
- Performing arts
- Providers of grassroots sport and sport facilities
- Restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services
- Shops and branches
- Vehicles
- The visitor economy
- Grassroots sports and organised sports
I have already sought some further clarification from NLC/ Trading Standards - thanks to local businesses who have taken the time to reach out.
Hospitality:
- NLC's Trading Standards team do not believe that masks are required outdoors
- Businesses should "take all reasonable steps to ensure that the customer remains seated outdoors whilst consuming the food or drink on the premises"
- If you are providing a smoking area, please make sure that it is socially distanced, and make decisions based on your risk assessment.
Indoor Sports and leisure facilities with provisions for children:
If you have an indoor dance/gym/martial arts club that offers children's classes you may have received an email from NLC stating that your reopening date should be on the 19th of April.
Having intervened on this I understand that the email was sent in error and you should have received a subsequent clarification email stating that you should be able to reopen from 12th April instead of 19th April.
NLC has made a series of videos on what local businesses are doing which you can find here.
Changes to SDLT for non-residents
- The Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) change affects purchasers of residential property from 1 April 2021.
- An extra 2% surcharge on existing rates for those who purchase residential property in the UK but are not UK residents.
- Work out your likely liability using the SDLT online calculator.
- More information can be found here.
Grants, loans, funds, and business support schemes
Restart Grants
NLC has started processing Restart Grants. If you have previously received the "Closed Business Grant" you should be receiving the grants in the next 10 days.
Recovery Loan Scheme
- Businesses can borrow between £1,000 and £10 million depending on size.
- You can apply for these loans even if you have already had a bounce-back loan or other government loans.
- Read the announcement here. More information from British Business Bank here.
Deadline 12th April - FREE Workplace testing for COVID-19 for ALL businesses
- You can STILL get a test if you are a sole trader/ Business with under 50 people
- This scheme will provide free tests until the end of June 2021.
- Order tests and register here.
- Note: please select "I would still like to register for National Workplace Testing" if you are a sole trader/ under 50. Do get in touch if you have any issues registering.
Alternatively, starting from today ANYONE can register for twice-weekly rapid testing
Diageo: Support kits for pubs and bars
- Eligible businesses will also be provided with free medical-grade hand sanitiser units and refills, along with takeaway kits and other tools to reopen safely.
- More information can be found here.
- Diageo is also allowing every bar free access to their Bar Academy.
National Lottery Funding Finder
- The National Lottery has provided over £1.2 billion worth of support during the pandemic.
- These grants are available for a wide range of businesses and projects.
- More information can be found here.
UK Life Sciences Fund
- The Medicines and Diagnostics Manufacturing Transformation Fund is designed to boost the country’s ability to respond to future pandemics.
- This represents £20 million investment into businesses expanding in the UK.
- More Information and how to apply can be found here.
£500 payment for working households receiving tax credits
- A new automatic one-off £500 payment for eligible working tax credit claimants.
- There is no need to apply or call to receive the payment, and all payments are expected to be made by 23rd April 2021.
- This payment is exempt from Income tax and national insurance and does not need to be declared in a self-assessment return.
- More Information can be found here.
The Government's "Plan for Jobs"
This small questionnaire will help you check if you have accessed available support.
I would really encourage employers to look at the Kickstart Scheme and the options below that will help provide more opportunities for people in our area.
Apprenticeship Incentive Payments
- From 1st April 2021, employers will receive an extra £3,000 for new employees that start an apprenticeship.
- This applies to employees of any age until 30th September 2021.
- This is in addition to the £1,000 given for hiring an apprentice aged 16-18 or under 25 with an education, health and care plan or who has been in the care of their local authority.
- More information can be found here.
Traineeship Incentive Payments
- Businesses will be given £1,000 for each traineeship placement.
- These can be for any length of time (6 weeks up to 1 year).
- This applies to all trainees aged 16 to 24, or 25 with an EHCP.
- More information can be found here.
SWAPS
- The Sector-based work academy programme aims to help jobseekers learn new skills and get experience.
- SWAPS are linked to a job vacancy and last up to six weeks.
- The SWAPS has 3 stages:
- Pre-employment training - a short vocational module taught by a college or training provider.
- Work experience in the specified industry.
- A job interview or job interview training.
- More information can be found here.
Job Entry Targeted Support
- Aimed at people claiming Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance for over 13 weeks.
- Provides specialist advice on moving into growing sectors, building a CV and interview coaching.
- More information can be found here.
Job Finding Support
- Offers support with job searches and interview practice.
- More information can be found here.
50 Plus Choices
- Support for jobseekers over 50 can include SWAPs, JETS, and bespoke advice from work coaches.
- More information can be found here.
Online Jobs and Careers Fair
- Greater Lincolnshire LEP is hosting an online Jobs and careers fair.
- Prospective employees will be able to visit stands and see what your business has to offer.
- The next one is due to be on 28th April 2021.
- More information and how to sign up can be found here.
This small questionnaire will help you check if you have accessed available support.
Being your voice
Last month, I was able to speak in a debate in Parliament to raise a number of issues on behalf of local businesses. This includes:
- Pushing for SEISS 4th Grant to be moved forward (see the Treasury's response to me on this issue here)
- Asking for more guidance and support for hospitality, weddings, and kennels
- Calling for a "Draught Beer duty relief" to support our pubs and restaurants
- Calling for Ministers to review existing restrictions and ending them as soon as they are no longer necessary
I was also able to use the opportunity to mention a number of local businesses and their important role in our community during this difficult time. Frankly, I had a much longer list of mentions, however, I have had to keep my time to 3 minutes!
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
- 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