Information from Tim Loughton MP website.
The government recognizes the huge challenges faced by many businesses in light of the Coronavirus epidemic. In both the Budget, and subsequent Downing Street Statements, the Chancellor has announced a range of support for businesses and the economy.
More businesses can now open
From Saturday 4th July, more businesses can now open:
- Pubs, restaurants and hairdressers can re-open, providing they adhere to COVID Secure guidelines.
- Two households can meet up in any setting, with social distancing.
- People can enjoy staycations in England, with the re-opening of accommodation sites.
- Some leisure and tourist facilities can re-open, provided they can do so safely. This includes outdoor gyms and playgrounds, cinemas, museums, galleries, theme parks and arcades, as well as libraries, social clubs, places of worship and community centres.
Unfortunately, some 'close proximity' venues such as nightclubs, soft-play areas, indoor gyms, swimming pools, water parks, bowling alleys and spas will need to remain closed. However, the government will set out a plan to re-open these venues shortly.
While the infection rate continues to fall, the Prime Minister has been clear that the public must continue to follow social distancing guidelines to keep coronavirus under control. The Government will keep all measures under constant review and will not hesitate to apply the handbrake, or reverse measures, should the virus begin to run out of control.
Making your workplace COVID-19 secure
For businesses that can remain open, the government has published social distancing guidance to help keep everyone safe.
Get the latest government guidance
Support for businesses affected
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
For the first time in British history, the government is stepping in to pay people's wages. The scheme was due to end at the end of June, but the government has extended the scheme until the end of October - providing a total of eight months support. From 1 July 2020, businesses will be given the flexibility to bring furloughed employees back part-time. This is a month earlier than previously announced to help support people back to work. Individual firms will decide the hours and shift patterns their employees will work on their return so that they can decide on the best approach for them - and will be responsible for paying their wages while in work.
From August 2020, the level of government grant provided through the job retention scheme will be slowly tapered to reflect that people will be returning to work. That means that for June and July the government will continue to pay 80% of people’s salaries. In the following months, businesses will be asked to contribute a modest share, but crucially individuals will continue to receive that 80% of salary covering the time they are unable to work.
To enable the introduction of part-time furloughing, and support those already furloughed back to work, claims from July onwards will be restricted to employers currently using the scheme and previously furloughed employees. The scheme will close to new entrants on 30 June, with the last three-week furloughs before that point commencing on 10 June.
- The scheme is currently open to any employer in the country and will cover the cost of wages backdated to March 1st. There is no limit on the funding for the scheme, and the government will pay to support as many jobs as needed.
- The scheme is open to employees who were on the payroll on 19th March 2020, and can be on any type of contract including agency, flexible and zero-hours contracts.
- Importantly, employees currently cannot undertake any work for the company whilst furloughed, unless employees are brought back as part of Flexible Furloughing from July 1st.
- You can apply to the scheme by clicking here. In order to apply, you need:
- to be registered for PAYE online.
- your UK bank account number and sort code
- the number of employees being furloughed
- each employees National Insurance number
- each employees payroll or employee number (optional)
- each employee's payroll or employee number (optional)
- the start date and end date of the claim
- the full amount you're claiming for including employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum pension contributions.
- your phone number
- contact name.
- You will also need to provide either
- your name (or the employer's name if you're an agent)
- your Corporation Tax unique taxpayer reference
- your Self Assessment unique taxpayer reference
- your company registration number
- If you use an agent who is authorised to do PAYE online for you, they can claim on your behalf.
