What should you be claiming in Lockdown 3.0?

The last month has been a confusing time with changes to the tier lockdown system and new government schemes being rolled out. This article aims to help you to understand the support on offer and what you’re eligible to claim.

Support for jobs

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

The furlough scheme has been extended to the end of April 2021. The government will cover the cost of 80 per cent of the wages of furloughed employees for hours not worked – employers will only be asked to cover NICs and pension contributions.

Click below for more detail

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

Support for the self employed (SEISS)

The government has extended the Self Employed Income Support Scheme until April 2021. This scheme provides a third SEISS grant, covering 80 per cent of average trading profits between November and January 2021 and capped at £7,500 in total.  The government has indicated that it will introduce a fourth grant to cover February to April 2021 in due course.

Click below for more detail

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme

Support for businesses

Loan Schemes

Bounce Back Loan Scheme

The Bounce Back Loan Scheme launched in May 2020 has been introduced to help smaller businesses impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19).  It allows businesses to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000 capped to 25% of turnover.

How to apply

https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/ourpartners/coronavirus-business-interruption-loan-schemes/bounce-back-loans/for-businesses-and-advisors/

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

CBILS provides facilities of up to £5 million for businesses across the UK that are impacted by Covid-19. CBILS supports a wide range of business finance products, including term loans, overdrafts, invoice finance and asset finance facilities.

How to apply

https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/ourpartners/coronavirus-business-interruption-loan-scheme-cbils-2/for-businesses-and-advisors/

Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme

The scheme helps medium and large sized businesses to access loans and other kinds of finance up to £200 million. The government guarantees 80% of the finance to the lender and is open to applications until 31 March 2021.

How to apply

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-coronavirus-large-business-interruption-loan-scheme

Business rates holidays

Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors in England will not have to pay business rates for the 2020 to 2021 tax year.

Click here to apply:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-your-retail-hospitality-or-leisure-business-is-eligible-for-business-rates-relief-due-to-coronavirus-covid-19

Future Fund

The Future Fund issues convertible loans worth between £125,000 to £5 million to innovative companies facing financing difficulties due to the coronavirus outbreak remain open until the end of January 2021.

Apply here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/future-fund

Grants

Businesses forced to close because of Coronavirus can claim grants of up to £3,000 a month from their local authority for each set of affected business premises, depending on rateable value.

Businesses that remain open but are impacted by local restrictions, can also claim grants worth up to £2,100 a month, whilst wet led pubs also benefit from a £1,000 one off extra grant in December 2020.

Click below to see if you are eligible

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-youre-eligible-for-the-coronavirus-local-restrictions-support-grant-for-closed-businesses

In addition on 5 January, the government announced all businesses in England forced to close can claim a one off grant of up to £9,000 again depending on rateable value.  This is in addition to the monthly closed grant amounts above.

Click below to see if you are eligible

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-your-business-is-eligible-for-a-coronavirus-grant-due-to-national-restrictions-for-closed-businesses

Trade Credit Reinsurance Scheme

This scheme ensures trade credit insurance coverage and credit limits are maintained during the coronavirus pandemic to help businesses to trade with confidence has been extended to June 2021.

For further information on current schemes for the unemployed, local authorities and more, please click on the link below

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/summary-of-existing-economic-support/summary-of-existing-economic-support

If you have any questions or queries please do get in touch with your Swindells partner who will be able to advise you further.