It has been a huge relief to see the hospitality sector starting to open again but I am sure it is clear to everyone that we are far from being back to normal.
It is great to see the businesses taking the safety of their staff and customers so seriously but we must remain on our guard and not let the measures slip.
Guidance for the safe running of all types of businesses has been published on the Gov.UK website. It is important that all business owners and managers keep abreast of this guidance.
In addition, many businesses, particularly those in the hospitality sector, will need to collect the details of staff, customers and visitors that come on their premises each day and maintain these records for 21 days to support NHS Test and Trace. Full guidance on this is provided below.
The Government is proposing a new streamlined process for businesses to secure temporary pavement licences. These new licences (which will be administered by the District Council) will allow businesses to place furniture, such as tables and chairs outside of cafes, bars and restaurants quickly and cheaply.
It is hoped the legislation to allow this will be approved by Parliament on 20 July and that we will be able to make the scheme live shortly after that. We will promote the application process as soon as it is confirmed. Please see below for the draft guidance outlining the new scheme.
The advice for food businesses in response to coronavirus was updated recently to include a new section on the prevention of infection and a revised section on management of outbreaks, including contact details for health protection teams.
Technology and manufacturing businesses can apply for funding to develop innovative digital technologies that have the potential to transform supply chains.
Solutions can improve and optimise existing supply chains, redesign or re-engineer existing supply chains or design new supply chains for new products or processes. Please follow the link below for further details.
UK registered businesses can apply for up to £175,000 for new projects focusing on sustainable economic recovery from COVID-19.
Applications must show evidence of key challenges as a direct consequence of COVID-19, and how the proposed project can help solve them. In addition, proposals must consider their impact on climate change and/or environmental sustainability. Further details below.
Enterprise Nation is running a one-day virtual festival, helping small businesses thrive after COVID-19.
#ENFEST takes place on Thursday 16 July and your ticket grants you access to 11 workshops hosted by expert business leaders in their field. The ticket price also includes the recordings so you can watch back at a later date. Further details below.
In yesterday's Summer Economic Update, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak confirmed that the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme would wind down flexibly and gradually, ending in October 2020. He also announced a range of measures aimed at supporting, protecting and creating jobs. Further details will emerge but in summary:
Jobs Retention Bonus– The Government will introduce a one-off payment of £1,000 to UK employers for every furloughed employee who remains continuously employed through to the end of January 2021. Employees must earn above the Lower Earnings Limit (£520 a month) on average between the end of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the end of January 2021. Payments will be made from February 2021. Further detail about the scheme will be announced by the end of July.
Eat Out to Help Out – The Chancellor announced the introduction of the ‘Eat Out to Help Out scheme’ to encourage people to return to eating out. This will entitle every diner to a 50 per cent discount of up to £10 per head on their meal, at any participating restaurant, café, pub or other eligible food service establishment. The discount can be used unlimited times and will be valid Monday to Wednesday on any eat-in meal (including on non-alcoholic drinks) for the entire month of August 2020 across the UK. Participating establishments will be fully reimbursed for the 50 per cent discount.
Temporary VAT cut for food and non-alcoholic drinks – From 15 July 2020 to 12 January 2021, the reduced (5 per cent) rate of VAT will apply to supplies of food and non-alcoholic drinks from restaurants, pubs, bars, cafés and similar premises across the UK.
Temporary VAT cut for accommodation and attractions – From 15 July 2020 to 12 January 2021, the reduced (5 per cent) rate of VAT will apply to accommodation and admission to attractions across the UK.
Payments for employers who hire new apprentices – The Government will introduce a new payment of £2,000 to employers in England for each new apprentice they hire aged under 25, and a £1,500 payment for each new apprentice they hire aged 25 and over, from 1 August 2020 to 31 January 2021. These payments will be in addition to the existing £1,000 payment the Government already provides for new 16-18-year-old apprentices, and those aged under 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan – where that applies.
Kickstart Scheme – A new ‘Kickstart Scheme’ will be introduced - a £2 billion fund to create six-month work placements aimed at those aged between 16 and 24 who are on Universal Credit and are deemed to be at risk of long-term unemployment. Funding available for each job will cover 100 per cent of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus the associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions.
High quality traineeships for young people – An additional £111 million will be provided this year for traineeships in England, to fund high quality work placements and training for 16-24-year olds. The Government will fund employers who provide trainees with work experience, at a rate of £1,000 per trainee. The Government will improve provision and expand eligibility for traineeships to those with Level 3 qualifications and below.
Local suppliers of 'back to work' products
Buying local is the best way to support the local economy. Several local businesses stock a wide range of 'back to work' products including PPE, sanitising equipment and signage.
We are more than happy to add other local suppliers to the list - please let us know at business@westoxon.gov.uk.
Other helpful organisations
Several business groups are coming up trumps with help and advice for businesses. The ones below are good but do also check the trade association for your own sector.
Enterprise Nation - a vibrant community of small businesses and business advisers with a website packed full of resources
UK Hospitality - represents the broad hospitality sector – covering everything from bars, coffee shops, contract catering, hotels, nightclubs, visitor attractions and other leisure venues
MD2MD - helps managing directors compare notes on business MD to MD. Now operating online with a free trial period for qualifying business leaders.
Summary of business support
The Government's business support website sets out the full range of business support measures that have been made available to UK businesses and employees.
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The council Coronavirus web pages have updates about business support, communities and leisure, bins and recycling, elections and council meetings, planning, building and council news.
We hope you found this newsletter useful. We would like them to be as relevant as possible so please let us know what you think and don’t forget to send us your news to business@westoxon.gov.uk
It has been a huge relief to see the hospitality sector starting to open again but I am sure it is clear to everyone that we are far from being back to normal.
