A new ‘support-finder’ tool will help businesses and self-employed people across the UK to determine quickly and easily what financial support, including loans, tax relief and cash grants, is available to them during the coronavirus pandemic.
The tool will ask business owners to fill out a simple online questionnaire which takes only minutes to complete. They are then be directed to a list of all the financial support they may be eligible for.
Additional sector-specific support and funding schemes include
- Agriculture
- Bars and pubs
- Road haulage
- Tourism
- Charities, community-interest companies and not-for-profit organisations
AGRICULTURE
NFU Mutual have made a £32 million coronavirus-pandemic support package available to help farmers, who are either existing or new customers. Full details of the features can be found here.
Emergency measures to support farmers during Covid-19
The Welsh Government has announced a package of emergency measures to support Welsh farmers during the coronavirus outbreak. These measures include:
- The deadline for farmers to submit their single application form has been extended to 15th June 2020.
- An additional £5.5m has been allocated to the BPS and Glastir 2019 support scheme which has reopened to support farmers who are yet to receive their 2019 BPS and/or Glastir payments. Farmers will be able to apply for support through the scheme to alleviate potential cash flow problems.
For further information please follow this link.
Emergency planning document templates
The Farm Advisory Service have made a number of emergency planning documents available which aim to help farmers ensure their business is still able to function should any member of the workforce need to take time off due to illness. The documents will, for example, assist farmers to record where stock is stored, record contact details for key suppliers, such as vets, feed representatives and accountants and highlight when lambing or calving is due to start, etc.
For further information and to access the templates please follow this link.
BARS AND PUBS
HMRC have announced a temporary measure to help brewers and publicans avoid paying duty on out-of-date beer that remains unsold as a result of pub closures. While social distancing measures are in force, an authorised brewery representative from the brewery that supplied the beer no longer needs to be present whilst spoilt beer is destroyed, however, in order to claim duty credit, publicans must have advance permission from the brewery to destroy the unsold beer and they must keep evidence of the destruction, such as a video for example.
For further information please follow this link.
ROAD HAULAGE
Following the announcement that domestic and international freight transport is exempt from non-essential travel advice, the Government have published detailed guidance aimed at international hauliers, which provides information on health and safety, borders and travel restrictions, insurance, consular help and the latest health advice.
For further information please follow this link.
Validity Of Driver CPC Cards Extended
As a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, the Department for Transport temporarily relaxed the rules relating to driver CPC cards. This measure will allow drivers whose CPC card expires between 1st March and 30th September 2020 to continue driving and not be subject to enforcement action by the police or the DVSA. Military drivers will also be able to drive in civilian situations whilst the rules are relaxed.
For further information please follow this link.
TOURISM AND HERITAGE
Open until 30th June, The National Lottery Heritage Fund have launched a £50 million fund which will look to support historic sites, industrial and maritime heritage, museums, libraries and archives, parks and gardens, etc which have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Grants of between £3,000 and £50,000 will be provided with a priority being given to organisations who have access to little or no access to other sources of support and are at risk of financial crisis.
The provision of a £1.2 million ‘Digital Skills For Heritage’ initiative will also be accelerated to support the sector through and beyond the coronavirus crisis.
Further information is available here.
CHARITIES, COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANIES AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANISATIONS
Guidance aimed at Charity trustees regarding operating during the coronavirus outbreak has been made available by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Guidance includes financial support which is available, holding meetings online or by telephone, reporting serious incidents and keeping people safe.
Further information is available here.
£100 Million Emergency Loan Programme
The programme which incorporates a number of new loan facilities will provide urgent finance to charities and social enterprises, along with some small businesses in disadvantaged parts of the UK facing cash-flow problems and disruption to their trading. Fees or interest won’t be incurred for the first 12 months.
Please follow this link for further information.
Coronavirus Emergency Grant For Small Charities
Launched by the Charities Aid Foundation, the £5 million emergency grant for small charities which have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak provides grants of up to £10,000 for charities with an income of £1 million or less. The grant covers core costs, staffing, volunteer costs, supplies and equipment, communications or other critical charitable activities. After receiving applications amounting to £20 million, the fund has been paused, however, it would be worthwhile checking this link as applications may reopen should more funding become available:
Filing Extension For Charities That Are Due To Submit Annual Return
The Charity Commission for England and Wales has announced that any charity that needs an extension to their annual return deadline can contact the Charity Commission to ask for one.
Further information is available here.
Coronavirus Guidance For Community Interest Companies
The Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies (CICs) has published guidance about how CICs can manage the impact of the outbreak.
Many thanks to Gareth Hatton of Businessline for providing this invaluable information.
