For the latest medical advice, visit NHS.uk/Coronavirus.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a package of measures to support businesses through this period, in close co-ordination with the Bank of England.
Business Support Finder
The Government's ‘support finder’ tool will help businesses and self-employed people across the UK to quickly and easily determine what financial support is available to them during the coronavirus pandemic.
Statutory Sick Pay for businesses with fewer than 250 employees
Businesses with fewer than 250 employees can reclaim up to 14 days’ Statutory Sick Pay paid for sickness absence due to COVID-19.
Employers will be able to make claims through the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme. The service can be accessed here.
Business rates and grants
Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors and nurseries in England do not have to pay businesses rates for the 2020 to 2021 tax year.
All businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will not have to pay business rates, irrespective of their rateable value, for 2020-21 tax year, the first three months of 2021-22 tax year and 66% of business rates bills for the rest of the 2021-22 tax year – that’s every single shop, pub, theatre, music venue, restaurant, and any other business in the retail, hospitality or leisure sectors.
The Additional Restrictions Grant is available through Gosport Borough Council and Fareham Borough Council for businesses that were required to close or severely impacted by restrictions, but were not eligible for the Local Restrictions Support Grants.
Tax affairs
HMRC has a set up a new helpline to support businesses and self-employed people who are concerned about not being able to pay their tax due to coronavirus. The helpline number is 0800 024 1222.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – which covers 80 per cent of the salary of retained workers up to a total of £2,500 a month – has been extended until the 30th September 2021.
From July 2021, the level of grant will be reduced and employers will be asked to contribute towards the cost of furloughed employees’ wages.
From July, the Government will contribute 70% of wages up to £2,187.50 with employers contributing 10% of hours not worked.
From August to September, the Government will contribute 60% of wages up to £1,875 with employers contributing 20% of hours not worked.
More advice and support
Read more about Government support for business here and at Coronavirus Financial Support or contact 0300 456 3565.
UK Finance are also offering business support and can be contacted via covid19support@ukfinance.org.uk.
Small Business Britain have launched 'The Big Support' Campaign, directing businesses to business and mental health support.
Local Support
For local advice and assistance contact the Solent LEP.
The Solent LEP Pay it Forward fund, operated in partnership with Crowdfunder, will provide support for Solent based micro and small businesses seeking to cope in challenging trading conditions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 98% of all businesses in the Solent area are defined as small or micro businesses and, initially, the LEP Board have made £600,000 available for them to access through the programme. The Board will be continually monitoring the funding available and stand ready to provide additional funding if there is demand for this.
In addition the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership’s Solent Growth Hub is also available to advise businesses about the potential support available. This support includes the Growth Accelerator Programme delivered in partnership with BDO LLP that offers 12 hours of free advice on growing a SME business.
You can also find information from Invest in Gosport here.
Business Hampshire also has advice which can be found here.