This bulletin is issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and provides the latest information for employers and businesses on coronavirus (COVID-19). All coronavirus business support information can be found at gov.uk/business-support
- Business Secretary Alok Sharma chairs a series of economic recovery round-tables
- Reminder: Continued support for SMEs: Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme
- New Updates and Guidance
- Requests for Business Intelligence and Assistance
Business Secretary Alok Sharma chairs a series of economic recovery round-tables
These roundtables bring together businesses, business representative organisations, regulators and leading academics. Discussions focused on the measures necessary to support economic recovery and ensure we have the right opportunities in place for growth across the country over the next 18 months and beyond. The five themes are:
- The future of industry: How to accelerate business innovation and leverage private sector investment in research and development.
- Green recovery: How to capture economic growth opportunities from the shift to net zero carbon emissions.
- Backing new businesses: How to make the UK the best place in the world to start and scale a business.
- Increasing opportunity: How to level up economic performance across the UK, including through skills and apprenticeships.
- The UK open for business: How to win and retain more high value investment for the UK.
Details of the participants and the questions covered is available here.
Reminder: Continued support for SMEs: Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme
The UK Government’s Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme continues to provide financial support to small and medium-sized employers.
If you’re an employer with fewer than 250 employees, and if you’ve paid SSP to employees for coronavirus-related sickness absence, you could be eligible for support. You can also speak to your tax agent about making claims on your behalf.
The repayment will cover up to two weeks of the applicable rate of SSP. For more information on eligibility and how to make a claim please find more information here.
New Updates and Guidance
New
Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter to the retail sector
The Minister for Small Business, Consumers & Labour Markets, Paul Scully MP, has written to those working in the retail sector. The letter thanks all those who are working in retail as shops across England reopen their doors this week.
Reservists returning to civilian work eligible for government support schemes
Military reservists will be able to access the government’s self-employment scheme and those returning to work in the coming months will be eligible for the job retention scheme. Find out more here.
Updates
COVID-19: how to work safely in care homes
Guidance for those working in care homes has been updated - providing information on how to work safely during this period of sustained transmission of COVID-19. Find the updated document here.
Requests for Business Intelligence and Assistance
Offer coronavirus support
Tell us how your business might be able to help with the response to coronavirus by using our online service.
Share the impact coronavirus is having on your organisation
Let us know how the outbreak is impacting your business. Please send your intelligence, including information and feedback on the safer workplace guidance, to intel@beis.gov.uk. Commercially sensitive information will be treated accordingly. Please note that this inbox is only for receiving intelligence and does not provide business advice.
Help us shine a light on the stories of key workers
Tell us about key workers you know that are helping to keep the UK moving during the Coronavirus pandemic. Please fill in this online form for key workers in the following sectors: manufacturing, construction, consumer goods, scientists/researchers, servicing, postal workers, and oil/gas/electricity/water/sewage/chemical workers.
Other useful links
Some aspects of business support are devolved. Specific information for businesses and employers in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales is available. In England, Growth Hubs can advise on local and UK Government business support. You can also find helpful business case studies and other useful information on the Coronavirus Business Support Blog.
Published on Wednesday 17th June 2020