Rochdale BID want to keep you updated with the latest news, information and advice during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Please check our website daily for more updates for businesses and website individuals.
Under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, all UK employers with a PAYE scheme will be able to access support to continue paying part of their employees’ salary for those that would otherwise have been laid off during this crisis.
This applies to employees who have been asked to stop working, but who are being kept on the pay roll, otherwise described as ‘furloughed workers’. HMRC will reimburse 80% of their wages, up to £2,500 per month. This is to safeguard workers from being made redundant. The CIPD has an excellent Furloughing FAQs page which can be found at - https://www.cipd.co.uk/news-views/coronavirus/faqs
Yesterday further actions were announced:
- The Prime Minister confirmed there would be an update today for those who are self-employed.
- Government have released expanded business retail discount business rates guidance. Estate agents, lettings agencies and bingo halls that have closed as a result of Covid-19 measures to restrict the spread of the virus will be now be exempted from business rates in 2020-21.
- BIDs will be able to extend the maximum duration of their BID arrangements until 31 March 2021 by delaying BID ballots due to take place this year. This enables BIDs, and the local authorities who administer the ballot process, to concentrate on responding to the current emergency.
- Companies to receive 3-month extension period to file accounts during COVID-19.
- The government are looking to identify, develop and demonstrate rapid sanitising technologies. Innovations must be suitable for rapid deployment to clean public sector vehicles following the transport of patients with the COVID-19 virus.
- Government have released new guidance: How to place a Coronavirus (COVID-19) test kit on the market
- More detailed staying at home guidance has been released.
- Where hotels, hostels, and B&Bs are providing rooms to support homeless people, through arrangements with local authorities and other public bodies, they should remain open. Rooms may also be provided to frontline homelessness workers who are included in the key worker category.
Useful Links
UK Government – Coronavirus: latest information and advice
UK Government - COVID-19: guidance for employers and businesses
UK Government – Coronavirus business support
National Health Service - Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Acas – Coronavirus advice for employers and employees
World Health Organization – Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19
If you have any queries regarding the support which his currently being offered, please don’t hesitate to contact me on 07811 278517.
Paul Ambrose
BID Manager
26 Mar 2020