31/03/2021 Holderness Gazette Article
I hope you are all enjoying the sunshine and the warmth and joy it brings. It all seems very positive at the moment and it is good to see so many smiling faces out and about. The easing of restrictions, the continued role out of the vaccine, the drop in infection and death rates are all going in the right direction for the steps to full freedom to continue. Can we see the light at the end of the tunnel? I believe so, if we continue to follow the guidelines as best, we can.
Southgates will be fully back to working from the office after Easter. I’m sure this is the same for many businesses, but it does concern me that many employers are looking at continuing with working from home. I’m sure for some employees this is not a problem, will be welcomed and they may work better from home. However, I hope this is not done by employers just to save money on office space as there are so many other factors to consider, not least the mental health and wellbeing of the employees. We are social creatures and creatures of habit. We need to be with others and the comradery that this brings. At Southgates we see ourselves as a team, each of us individuals with our own personalities and with our own set of skills, but together we can support each other, laugh with each other, learn from each other, and better support our clients.
There is still support out there for businesses: –
On 3 March 2021, the Government announced that it would be providing non-essential retail, hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care, and gym businesses in England a one-off grant called the Restart Grant (RG) from 1 April 2021. The grant is intended to help businesses that are predominantly reliant on delivering in-person services for the general public to reopen safely as set out in the roadmap.
The Restart Grant scheme supports businesses in reopening safely as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Grants will be available from 1 April 2021, but you can submit applications in advance.
Check if you’re eligible for a coronavirus Restart Grant (grants available from 1 April 2021) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Eligible businesses in the non-essential retail sector may be entitled to a one-off cash grant of up to £6,000 from their local council.
Eligible businesses in the hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care, and gym sectors may be entitled to a one-off cash grant of up to £18,000 from their local council.
Eligibility
Your business may be eligible if it is:
- based in England.
- rate-paying.
- in the non-essential retail, hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care, or gym sectors.
- trading on 1 April 2021.
Businesses excluded from the fund.
You cannot get funding if your business:
- is in administration, insolvent or has been struck off the Companies House register.
- has exceeded the permitted subsidy allowance.
You must notify your local council if your situation changes, and you no longer meet the eligibility criteria.
What you get
Local councils will use their discretion to determine whether businesses meet the eligibility criteria for this grant scheme.
Eligible businesses will be paid:
- a one-off grant of up to £6,000 in the non-essential retail sector.
- a one-off grant of up to £18,000 in the hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care, and gym sectors.
Grants will be available from 1 April 2021, but you can submit an application in advance.
Visit your local council’s website to find out how to apply:
If you deferred VAT payments due between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2020 and still have payments to make, you can:
The new scheme lets you pay your deferred VAT in equal instalments, interest free. You can spread your payments across 2 to 11 monthly instalments, including your first payment, depending on when you join. The earlier you join, the more months you have to spread your payments across.
If you join by:
19 March 2021, you can pay in 11 instalments.
21 April 2021, you can pay in 10 instalments.
19 May 2021, you can pay in 9 instalments.
21 June 2021, you can pay in 8 instalments.
You must opt into the VAT deferral new payment scheme by 21 June 2021.
You can claim back Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) you’ve paid for employees who are off sick, self-isolating or shielding because of coronavirus. This scheme will cover up to 2 weeks of SSP for every eligible employee.
You’re eligible if both of the following apply to your business:
Support to create job placements: Kickstart Scheme.
The Kickstart Scheme gives you financial support to create new 6-month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. The scheme is open to all organisations.
It pays:
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough scheme)
If you’ve had to ask your employees to stop working or work less because of coronavirus (put them on ‘furlough’) you can get support to pay their wages for the hours they do not work. The scheme has been extended until the end of September 2021.
The government will pay:
- 80% of employees’ usual wages for hours they do not work, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month, until the end of June
- 70% of employees’ usual wages for hours they do not work, up to a maximum of £2187.50 per month, until the end of July
- 60% of employees’ usual wages for hours they do not work, up to a maximum of £1875 per month, until the end of August and September
The employees must receive 80% of their usual wages up to a maximum of £2500 per month until the end of September 2021. From July 2021 to September 2021, you will have to make up the difference between the government payment and what the employee should receive.
You must submit your claims by 11.59pm 14 calendar days after the month you’re claiming for. If this time falls on the weekend or a bank holiday, then claims should be submitted on the next working day. For example, you must submit your claim by:
- 14 April 2021, for eligible employees on furlough in March 2021
- 14 May 2021, for eligible employees on furlough in April 2021
Support for businesses paying tax: Time To Pay Service
If you cannot pay your tax bill on time because of coronavirus, you may be able to delay it without a penalty using HMRC’s Time to Pay service.
You might be eligible if your UK business:
Payment Support Service Telephone: 0300 200 3835
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (closed on bank holidays)
With the light at the end of the tunnel, stay safe, think of others and let’s get through this together.