Business Grants Click to get info
Support finder tool Click to get info
- The government has launched a search tool for businesses and the self-employed to understand what support is available to them, based on their circumstances.
- The tool asks a series of straight forward questions to provide a summary of coronavirus financial support for your business.
Business rate relief Click to get info
- All retail, hospitality and leisure businesses will be exempt from business rates for the 2020-21 year.
- Nursery businesses will benefit from a business rates holiday for the 2020-21 year.
- Eligible businesses have had these new reliefs automatically applied and new bills sent.
- If you have not been notified and think you are eligible please apply online.
Business loans Click to get info
- The Bounce Back Loan scheme is a fast-track finance scheme providing loans for small businesses,100 per cent backed by government. Loans of £2,000 - £50,000 are available. New applications are being accepted until 31 January 2021.
- The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme offers loan finance of up to £5m to businesses with a turnover of up to £45m. New applications are being accepted until 31 January 2021.
- The Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme offers loan finance of up to £25m to businesses with an annual turnover of between £45m and £500m. New applications are being accepted until 31 January 2021.
- The Covid Corporate Financing Facility will support liquidity amongst incorporated businesses through the Bank of England.
- Alternative funds that small businesses and social enterprises may apply for, in order to mitigate their financial losses during the Covid-19.
Self-employed, freelance and contract workers Click to get info
- The Self-employment Income Support Scheme is available to the self-employed or a members of a partnership which have been adversely affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).
- If you are a ‘gig-economy’ or zero hours contract worker you may be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay. Check your eligibility.
- If you are not entitled to Statutory Sick Pay, you may be eligible for benefits such as the Employment Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit.
- Please contact Jobcentre Plus for claims for either Universal Credit or ESA.
Help paying staff Click to get info
- With the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, employers can claim for some of their employee’s wages if they have put them on furlough or flexible furlough because of coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Incentive payments for hiring a new apprentice: Organisations that take on new apprentices between 1 August 2020 and 31 January 2021 can apply for an additional payment of up to £2,000, after they add new apprentices to their apprenticeship service account.
- The Kickstart Scheme provides 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions, for new 6 month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit.
- Help from our Apprenticeship Team: We offer a free consultation to levy paying employers on how they can benefit from apprenticeships, financial incentives available and advise on the best type of apprenticeship training for their company. Our Apprenticeships Team may be contacted on apprenticeships.als@walthamforest.gov.uk and we will respond within 24 hrs.
Commercial property Click to get info
- If you are a commercial tenant of the council, please contact us to discuss your situation if you are facing difficulties: propertyenquiries@walthamforest.gov.uk
Sick pay Click to get info
- UK employers can access Statutory Sick Pay for all employees advised to self-isolate or are caring for someone else who has, provided the employees earnings are over £118/week.
- Rules around GP sick notes have also been relaxed and a notification can be obtained from NHS 111 Online.
- Statutory Sick Pay will be paid from day one, instead of day four, and can be applied retrospectively from 13 March 2020.
- The government will refund the cost of Statutory Sick Pay for up to 14 days to small and medium-sized businesses.
- The Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) has advice for businesses on dealing with a range of employment issues including staff absence, homeworking, staff presenting symptoms, closing premises and staff lay-offs
Business closures and remaining safe when open Click to get info
- Tailored guidelines for employers are available to help businesses get COVID-secure and back up and running safely.
- Advice on working safely during COVID-19 is also available from the HSE and advice on cleaning your workplace safely.
- The Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) has advice for businesses on dealing with a range of employment issues including staff absence, homeworking, staff presenting symptoms, closing premises and staff lay-offs.
- More information on the key steps for businesses to reopen safely
Other support and guidance Click to get info
- Online resources from a range of other organisations.
- The government has launched a search tool for businesses and the self-employed to understand what support is available to them, based on their circumstances.
- Business Representative Organisations and Trade Associations are providing coronavirus related support for specific sectors.
Stay in touch Click to get info
If you have enquiries or concerns not answered by the information above, please let us know through this online form. We aim to respond to you within 3 working days.
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Previous 2020 newsletters
- Covid-19 newsletter 1 December
- Covid-19 newsletter 24 November
- Covid-19 newsletter 17 November
- Covid-19 newsletter 10 November
- Covid-19 newsletter 3 November
- Covid-19 newsletter 28 October
- Covid-19 newsletter 20 October
- Covid-19 newsletter 15 October
- Covid-19 newsletter 13 October
- Covid-19 newsletter 7 October
- Covid-19 newsletter 29 September
- Covid-19 newsletter 23 September
- Covid-19 newsletter 15 September
- Covid-19 newsletter 8 September
- Covid-19 newsletter 2 September
- Covid-19 newsletter 26 August
- Covid-19 newsletter 19 August
- Covid-19 newsletter 11 August
- Covid-19 newsletter 4 August
- Covid-19 newsletter 30 July
- Covid-19 newsletter 23 July
- Covid-19 newsletter 16 July
- Covid-19 newsletter 9 July
- Covid-19 newsletter 2 July
- Covid-19 newsletter 26 June
- Covid-19 newsletter 19 June
- Covid-19 newsletter 11 June
- Covid-19 newsletter 4 June
- Covid-19 newsletter 28 May
- Covid-19 newsletter 21 May
- Covid-19 newsletter 14 May
- Covid-19 newsletter 7 May
- Covid-19 newsletter 4 May
- Covid-19 newsletter 30 April
- Covid-19 newsletter 24 April
- Covid-19 newsletter 16 April
- Covid-19 newsletter 3 April
- Covid-19 newsletter 27 March
- Covid-19 newsletter 25 March
- Covid-19 newsletter 20 March
Save The High Street Click to get info
The Business Support programme delivered by Save the High Street has finished.
It is not too late to arrange a free business health check or to watch a catalogue of free webinars.
Please visit our Save The High Street webpage.