BCC survey suggests firms ready for gradual reopening of UK economy

The latest Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker survey carried out by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has suggested that UK businesses are ready for a gradual reopening of the UK economy and will ’embrace the new normal’. According to the BCC, the vast majority of survey respondents reported high levels of readiness to restart operations […]

Loan size increased to £200 million under large business interruption scheme

The government is extending the maximum loan size available through the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) from £50 million to £200 million. The loans will be made available to large businesses affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) from 26 May. However, companies borrowing more than £50 million through the CLBILS will be subject to restrictions on […]

Government set to launch Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme

The government is set to launch an online service to allow employers to recover the Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) payments they have made to their employees during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme, which was announced at the 2020 Budget as part of a package of support measures for businesses […]

Future Fund launches to give start-ups coronavirus support

The government has launched its Future Fund package, which aims to support start-up businesses not eligible for other coronavirus (COVID-19) rescue measures. The Future Fund offers government loans of between £125,000 and £5 million to UK-incorporated companies, provided private investors at least match the funding supplied by the state. The package is aimed at innovative […]

IPSE urges government to extend self-employed support scheme

The government is being urged to extend its coronavirus (COVID-19) Self-employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) for as long as self-employed individuals require it. The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) said that the difference between the SEISS and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) for employees is a ‘glaring injustice’. It warned that […]

Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme goes live

On 26 May, HMRC opened up its Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) rebate claim service. Eligible employers are able to recoup up to two weeks’ worth of SSP payments made to employees off work for coronavirus (COVID-19)-related reasons since 13 March 2020 (16 March 2020 if the employee was shielding). This is an ongoing scheme for […]

IPSE gives cautious welcome to extension of self-employed scheme

The government’s decision to extend COVID-19 support for self-employed workers has met with a cautious welcome from the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE). Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced that the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will run again in August. In August, those eligible under the SEISS will be able to claim […]