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Latest Corona Virus information for Businesses


Local Authority Discretionary Grants Scheme 

The government has announced the Discretionary Grant Fund to support businesses that are not eligible for other grant schemes. This funding will be administered by local authorities and we will post information on how to apply when Southwark Council announce further details.

Grants will be available to small and micro businesses at a range of amounts based on the number of employees, up to a maximum of £25,000. Businesses will need to demonstrate a significant loss of income as a result of COVID-19 and ongoing fixed costs.


Changes to the Job Retention Scheme (furlough)  

From 1st July, the following changes will be made to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme:

  • Employers will be able to bring furloughed employees back part time, while still being able to claim from the CJRS 
  • Employers will only be able to furlough employees who have previously been furloughed for a full three week period.
  • Therefore the final date for furloughing an employee for the first time will be 10th June. 

From 1st August, the level of government grant will be tapered and employers will be asked to contribute towards salaries of furloughed staff as set out below to make up 80% of total wages, up to a cap of £2,500.

  • August: The government will pay 80% of wages up to a cap of £2,500. Employers will pay NICSs and pension contributions  
  • September: The government will pay 70% of wages up to a cap of £2,187.50. Employers will pay NICs and pension contributions and 10% of wages  
  • October: The government will pay 60% of wages up to a cap of £1,875. Employers will pay NICs and pension contributions and 20% of wages  

For full details please click the link below https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKHMRCED/bulletins/28e14ea

The scheme will end on 31st October 2020.

You can check if you can claim for your employees’ wages and make a claim online.


Changes to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme  

The deadline for making your first claim is 13th July 2020.

You can check if you are eligible and you can make a claim online.

The scheme has been extended and you will be able to make a claim for a second and final grant in August 2020. This grant will be worth 70% of your average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering a further 3 months’ worth of profits, and capped at £6,570 in total. The online service for the second grant has not yet been released.


Advice on safely returning to work 

TFL has announced plans to help Londoners travel safely including guidance for travel to and from your place of work.

The government has produced guidance for employers on providing a safe environment for employees to return to work.  The guidance covers 8 different types of workplace.

National guidance remains clear that everyone should continue to work from home wherever possible.

General advice is to continue to follow guidance and help to save lives. As restrictions begin to ease, please continue to check Southwark Council’s  online guidance if you are unsure about what steps you should be taking.

We know this is a very worrying and challenging time for our businesses and if you do have any concerns or require further information please contact  SouthwarkBusinessDesk@southwark.gov.uk

For comprehensive information on available support check  Southwark Council business pages regularly.


Statutory Sick Pay

If you’re an employer with fewer than 250 employees, you may be able to claim for coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). If you have a tax agent, they can also make claims on your behalf.

Please visit GOV‌.UK Sick Pay Rebate Scheme to check if you can claim back SSP paid to employees due to coronavirus.


Protect yourself from scams

Stay vigilant about scams, which may mimic government messages as a way of appearing authentic and nonthreatening. Visit ‘scams’ on GOV‌.‌‌UK for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact. You can also forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599.

Posted in Business News, Coronavirus-Covid-19