Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Businesses and Employers Bulletin 22 June 2020

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

• UK Government provides further halt to business evictions and more support for high street firms
• Public Procurement Review Service allows suppliers to anonymously raise concerns they have about public sector buying and prompt payment
• New Updates and Guidance
• Requests for Business Intelligence and Assistance

UK Government provides further halt to business evictions and more support for high street firms

A new code provides support to shops and local firms planning their future recovery with their landlord.

• The UK government has extended measures to prevent struggling companies from eviction over the summer.
• A new code of practice has been developed with leaders from the retail, hospitality and property sectors to provide clarity for businesses when discussing rental payments and to encourage best practice so that all parties are supported.
• The Coronavirus Act will extend the time period for suspension of the forfeiture of evictions from June 30 to September 30, meaning no business will be forced out of their premises if they a miss a payment in the next three months.
• Secondary legislation to prevent landlords using Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery unless they are owed 189 days of unpaid rent. The time period for which this measure is in force will be extended from June 30 to September 30.
• An amendment to the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill has been tabled which will extend the temporary ban on the use of statutory demands and winding-up petitions where a company cannot pay its bills due to coronavirus until 30 September. Find out more here.

Public Procurement Review Service allows suppliers to anonymously raise concerns they have about public sector buying and prompt payment

Public Procurement Review Service (PPRS) allows suppliers to anonymously raise concerns they have about public sector buying and prompt payment and it's free to use. It is one of a range of measures designed to make Government easier to work with, levelling the playing field for those who want to supply to Government. The work of PPRS can lead to live procurements being adjusted, outstanding payments made for work completed, with recommendations being made to Contracting Authorities leading to improvements in the way government sources goods and services in the future.

• There has been over 1,800 referrals since 2011;
• PPRS helped suppliers reclaim over £7.9 million from over 350 late payment cases reported to the service and had a 100% success rate of releasing payments on undisputed invoices.
• Find more information here.

New Updates and Guidance

New

Coronavirus (COVID-19): information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses

The dairy response fund is now open to eligible farmers in England to apply for a single payment from the fund.

Download a template if you're claiming for 100 or more employees through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Complete a template with the details of the employees you're claiming for and upload this template when you claim (for claims on or after 1 July 2020). Find the template here.

Updates

Coronavirus: MOTs for lorries, buses and trailers

You can book a lorry, bus or trailer annual test (MOT) from 4 July 2020 - the deadline to get the test done depends on when the MOT was originally due. The update includes that lorry, bus or trailer annual tests (MOTs) will restart from 4 July 2020 but vehicles in June, July and August will be issued 3-month exemptions. This applies in Wales, England and Scotland. Find out more here.

Find out which employees you can put on furlough and claim for through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Updated to include information about exceptions for military reservists. Find out more 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.