If you already have a Bounce Back Loan but borrowed less than you were entitled to, you can top up your existing loan to your maximum amount. You must request the top-up by 31 January 2021.
The scheme is open to applications until 31 March 2021.
You must send your final UK VAT MOSS return and payment by 20 January 2021. You will not be able to submit a return after 31 January 2021.
If you sell digital services to customers in the EU you must either register for VAT MOSS in an EU country, or pay VAT in each country you supply to. Find out about registering for VAT in EU countries.
Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership has launched their EU Transition Business Readiness programme of support which includes referring businesses to specialist advice and a series of webinars coming soon.
If you have any queries regarding the EU transition, you can contact SWLEP on 01249 477288 or email support@swlep.co.uk.
The Skills Toolkit: An Hour to Skill
The Department for Education are launching a new campaign for The Skills Toolkit called ‘An Hour to Skill’.
The campaign aims to inspire the nation to spend one hour a week learning online with The Skills Toolkit by highlighting the ease and benefits of accessing free, high-quality online courses.
By setting aside one hour a week for online learning, you can learn skills that employers are looking for, boost your job prospects and keep your mind active.
On Tuesday, the Chancellor announced new support for businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. New one-off grants will be available to closed businesses as follows:
£4,000 for businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 or under
£6,000 for businesses with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
£9,000 for businesses with a rateable value of over £51,000
A £594 million discretionary fund is also being made available to support other impacted businesses.
We are awaiting further guidance from the government on these schemes before rolling them out to businesses. We will update you via the newsletter in due course.
The Local Restrictions Support Grant is available for businesses which pay business rates and have been closed or affected by national restrictions (i.e. in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors). We are currently awaiting government funding announcements for post 16 December.
If you have already applied for the Local Restrictions Support Grant scheme, you do not need to apply again. If your businesses was closed as a result of the restrictions in November 2020 and you have not yet applied for a grant, please complete the application form as soon as possible.
If you do not pay business rates or your business is not in a retail, hospitality or leisure property, you may be entitled to the Additional Restrictions Grant. The application window is currently closed but will re-open in due course. We will notify you via this newsletter when it reopens.
A number of scam text messages are being received across the UK, trying to entice people into giving up their card details in order to claim a non-existent government grant.
The text message claims to come from HM Revenue and Customs.
HMRC will never offer a tax refund by text, email or phone.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
This scheme has been extended until 30 April 2021. You can claim 80% of an employee’s usual salary for hours not worked, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month
Claims for furloughed days in December 2020 must be submitted by 14 January 2021.
You have until 5pm today, Friday 8 January, to comment on the Salisbury River Park proposals.
This joint project, between Wiltshire Council and the Environment Agency, aims to help reduce the risk of flooding for existing residents and businesses in Salisbury city centre, build climate change resilience, enhance existing and create new spaces for biodiversity and improve public enjoyment of the river.
