As Christmas approaches, we wanted to acknowledge how tough this year has been for businesses. We would like to say a huge thank you for playing your part by acting responsibly and following the public health guidance since March.
We really appreciate all the support and patience that you've shown through these challenging times, in following the guidance we have put out in relation to COVID-19.
Thank you once again and we hope you have a lovely Christmas break and we will see you all in 2021.
This newsletter provides updates on help and advice available locally for businesses during the COVID-19 situation.
Businesses with employees who live in a Tier 4 area
Following the Government’s announcement that some areas within the country have been placed into Tier 4, we need to do everything we can to keep each other safe.
To help contain the virus, everyone who lives in a Tier 4 area and can work effectively from home should do so.
Only essential journeys are to be made to or from Tier 4 areas. Please reinforce the messages and encourage the appropriate safety measures, such as wearing PPE.
The areas with a very rapidly rising level of infections now in Tier 4 include Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Peterborough, the whole of Hertfordshire, Surrey (excluding Waverley), Hastings and Rother, Portsmouth, Gosport and Havant in Hampshire, all 32 boroughs of London and the city of London, and Essex (excluding Colchester, Uttlesford and Tendring).
If you or any of your employees live in a Tier 4 area, they must stay at home and not leave their Tier 4 area, other than for legally permitted reasons such as:
travel to work where you cannot work from home
travel to education and for caring responsibilities
visit (including staying overnight with) those in your support bubble - or your childcare bubble for childcare
attend hospital, GP and other medical appointments or visits where you have had an accident or are concerned about your health
Fully funded Leadership and Management training courses
Serco is currently offering fully funded (subject to eligibility) Leadership and Management training courses that can potentially be funded under the Skills Support for the Workforce Programme.
The courses will be delivered online and include:
ILM Level 2 Leadership and Team Skills
ILM Level 3 Leadership and Management
ILM Level 4 Leadership and Wellbeing Management
ILM Level 3 Certificate in Leadership and Management 12 week course
View the full timetable of upcoming courses in this document.
Highways England is encouraging local businesses and SMEs to get involved in the A303 project as part of their supply chain.
They will be appointing several main, or Tier 1, contractors to deliver the scheme:
Archaeology - to carry out archaeology investigations
Preliminary works - to get the site ready for construction
Main works - to build the scheme
These contractors will create a range of opportunities which will require support from a wide variety of businesses of all sizes over a number of years. Materials and equipment will be needed as well as people with the right expertise.
Free training
Highways England want to support businesses so that they're in the best possible position to bid for work. They have partnered with the Supply Chain Sustainability School to provide free training that can help businesses improve their capability and confidence to bid for work on the A303 Stonehenge project. Details will be announced soon.
From 1 January 2021, exporters of animals and products of animal origin to the EU will be required to obtain a certified Export Health Certificate (EHC).
To make the process as simple and as easy-to-follow as possible, Defra have published guidance on the GOV.UK website.
We know many businesses have been focusing on Christmas, so here’s a reminder not to miss out on the business grants. There’s now only one application form so whether you are applying for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) Open scheme, LRSG Closed scheme or the Christmas Support Payment, we hope this makes the process easier.
Applications for the Additional Restrictions Grant scheme, the discretionary scheme, closed on Friday but we expect to announce a further round in the new year.
From 1 January 2021, the UK will adopt a new points-based immigration system which includes a number of changes for businesses hiring employees from the EU including considerations on minimum salary, qualifications, occupation type and language requirements. Employers will also have to register for a sponsorship license in order to hire internationally.
On 1 December 2020, visa applications opened for those who want to come to the UK from 1 January 2021 to work under the UK’s points-based immigration system, including applications for the new Skilled Worker visa. EU and non-EU citizens will be treated equally and anyone coming to the UK to work will need to apply for permission in advance.
National Apprenticeship Week 8 to 14 February 2021
The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2021 is Build The Future and employers are being asked to share how they have used apprenticeships to train, retrain and achieve as a business.
We are working in partnership with Swindon Borough Council and the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership to showcase the range of apprenticeship opportunities across the county, encouraging employers to consider apprenticeships and inspiring young people to consider apprenticeships as an equal to pathways such as college, university and the new T-Levels.
We are asking you to join us by sharing your story. We are looking for contributions to produce film, written and digital content from both the apprentice(s) and the employer, outlining the story of the apprentice, the benefits to the employer, what challenges you may have faced and how the whole process worked out, interlaced with background information, telling the story from beginning to end.
If you and your apprentices would like to feature in this campaign please confirm by emailing communications@wiltshire.gov.ukno later than Monday 11 January and one of the team will contact you to discuss further.
NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme
The COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer/BioNTech has been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
Vaccinations have started for people most at risk for coronavirus and the NHS will continue their programme of vaccinating priority groups against COVID-19 over the coming months.
The NHS will let you know when it's your turn to have the vaccine. It's important not to contact the NHS for a vaccination before then.
The COVID-19 vaccination programme is a huge logistical undertaking and the NHS has been working with partners including Wiltshire Council to plan the delivery of an effective roll-out.
In the meantime it is important that everyone continues to adhere to all relevant COVID-19 guidance.
You can follow @NHSEngland on Twitter for the latest developments.
