The Growth Hub team are working hard to keep you updated on Covid-19 Support for Business and inform you of the latest on Government schemes and other business support to assist with managing through the impacts of the Coronavirus. Here follows links to schemes, advice, guidance and further business support.
New National Restrictions from 5 November
From Thursday November, 5 certain businesses and venues will be required to close in order to reduce social contact and help control the virus. In addition, Government guidance states that people should work from home wherever possible. In sectors where homeworking is not possible, businesses must take all reasonable steps to ensure people work safely from a COVID-19 Secure workplace. A key consideration is how to modify your work setting to prevent the spread of the virus.
Businesses required to close in England due to local or national restrictions will be eligible for the following:
- For properties with a rateable value of £15k or under, grants to be £1,334 per month, or £667 per two weeks;
- For properties with a rateable value of between £15k-£51k grants to be £2,000 per month, or £1,000 per two weeks;
- For properties with a rateable value of £51k or over grants to be £3,000 per month, or £1,500 per two weeks.
More guidance from Government about these grants is expected soon.
Guidance for employers and businesses
You should download the NHS App to keep updated on the latest guidance. See https://www.covid19.nhs.uk/ for how to download it.
Create a coronavirus NHS QR code for your venue. You can click here to create a QR code poster for your business. Get visitors to scan the QR code when they arrive, using the NHS Covid-19 app. This it to help trace and stop the spread of coronavirus. The poster should be displayed in prominent locations encouraging visitors, staff, customers and suppliers to scan the poster to check in. See here for guidance on producing a QR code poster for your business.
See the Better Business for All (BBfA) partnership Covid-19 Toolkits to help guide you to reopen your business safely:
There are a range of measures and schemes available to businesses such as grant funding, business rate relief and loans. You can find out the latest updates here and further details for businesses on the Government’s Coronavirus Business Support Hub covering how to access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, when the schemes open and how to apply.
See HM Government Coronavirus Business Support Hub.
Coronavirus Business Financial Support Finder Tool
The Government has launched an online tool to help employers and the self-employed find Coronavirus financial support. The support finder will show which loans, tax relief and cash grants that businesses can access. Use the Business Financial Support Finder tool.
Summary information and quick links to business support options can be found here.
