Government Announces Support for Businesses Affected by Omicron: The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has announced that businesses throughout the country impacted by the Omicron variant of COVID-19 will be helped by a £1 billion funding package. The core of the funding (£683 million) will be targeted at the leisure and hospitality sectors as they deal with cancellations, lost custom and sick leave related to the pandemic, with up to £6,000 per premises being available. There are three bands of support available, based on the rateable value (RV) of each eligible premises:
- For RV of £0-15k – grants of £2,700 are available
- For RV of £15-51k – grants of £4,000 are available
- For RV greater than £51k – grants of £6,000 are available
There will also be a £102 million top-up to the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) made available across England and we shall provide more details on how that affects the fourth round of the ARG scheme shortly (see below for more on the ARG scheme).
The government will also be providing £30 million for the Culture Recovery Fund to support organisations such as theatres, orchestras, and museums through the winter until March 2022. In addition, the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme (SSPRS) will be reintroduced for small and medium-sized businesses (those with fewer than 250 employees) to help with COVID-related absences.
Westminster City Council is committed to helping Westminster’s business communities through this latest surge in COVID-19 cases. We are currently waiting on further guidance and clarity from central government as to how much of this new funding will be made available to Westminster City Council. We will provide full updates via our newsletters and on our financial support page in due course.
Cllr Rachael Robathan, Leader of Westminster City Council, has written to the Chancellor to outline the scale of impact Omicron has had. “It’s welcome that Rishi Sunak recognises the plight of hospitality,” she writes. “But Omicron means many shops and restaurants across the city are facing an uncertain Christmas and New Year. City centres will need more help to survive and I am urging more flexible grants and continued business rate relief.”
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Additional Restrictions Grant Scheme – Round 4: The Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) is a funding pot that has been made available by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy to help local authorities in England support businesses facing hardship as part of the emergency response to the pandemic. So far Westminster has received circa £15m from central government, which has been distributed in three successive rounds of funding. Early in January we will be launch a fourth round of ARG funding for eligible ratepayer businesses. These business sectors include:
- Medical
- TV, film and media
- Language schools
- Dry cleaners/laundrettes
This fourth phase is proposed to run from early to late January and we will be providing more information, including information on all eligible business groups and the full amount of funding available (see above for news of extra ARG funding being made available by central government), in upcoming editions of this newsletter and via the council website.
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New Measures for Businesses to Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19: Additional temporary measures have been introduced by the government as a precaution to slow down the spread of the Omicron variant
- As of Friday 10 December, the government has further extended the requirement to wear face coverings to most indoor public settings including theatres and cinemas unless you are exempt. There will be exemptions in venues where it is not practical to wear one, such as when eating, drinking and exercising.
- As of Monday 13 December, working from home guidance has been reintroduced for those who can work from home. For those who attend their workplace, please consider the government’s Working Safely guidance.
- As of Wednesday 15 December, the NHS COVID Pass demonstrating two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, or a negative rapid lateral flow test, has become mandatory for certain venues. Those aged 18 or over must show their NHS COVID Pass or proof of a negative test result in the last 48 hours to gain entry to these venues.
Shops, hospitality venues and other appropriate businesses are asked to print and clearly display the poster found at this link to encourage staff and visitors to wear face coverings on their premises.
There is a range of support available for businesses that will be affected by the new guidance, both from central government and via the council:
- COVID-19 Recovery Loan Scheme: The Recovery Loan Scheme supports access to finance of up to £10m per business for UK businesses as they grow and recover from the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Expert Professional Panel: This expert panel of advisors is designed to help small businesses bounce back from the pandemic and get back on their feet through specialist advice and support. To find out more or to register your interest to be on the panel, email the Business Unit at businessunit@westminster.gov.uk
- One to One appointments with the Business Unit: If you’re seeking advice or support due to the new guidance, you can book a one-to-one appointment with the Business Unit by emailing businessunit@westminster.gov.uk
- External funding and grant opportunities: Support is also available to help businesses access other grant-funded opportunities that can help during this time. To find out more about these, please email the Business Unit at businessunit@westminster.gov.uk
- Start-up to Scale-up courses: This programme has been designed to support Westminster-based businesses on a high-growth trajectory prior to COVID-19 to harness the resilience required to survive, and adapt their business to thrive in a post-COVID future economy. To find out more or to register your interest for the course, email the Business Unit at businessunit@westminster.gov.uk
- Enterprise Space support: If workspace is becoming an issue due to the pandemic, the Enterprise Space network or the Westminster Investment Service can help by finding affordable, flexible and supportive premises in the borough, Find out more by emailing the Business Unit at businessunit@westminster.gov.uk
Read the latest COVID-19 information for businesses on our website.
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For more information to advise and support your business, Westminster City Council, the UK Government and the community can help:
Whilst we are dealing with a greater volume of queries than usual, if you need bespoke advice, don’t hesitate to contact our Business Unit to get appropriate help. |
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