13 January 2021
We are pleased to say we are in a position to be taking applications from businesses for the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) announced on the 31st October 2020, this is a discretionary scheme which in part, has been introduced to support businesses that are not eligible for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (closed) (LRSG).
To see the full details and to get the application form, please visit: https://www.spelthorne.gov.uk/LRSGO
This Discretionary Grant scheme will run from 9am 18 January until midnight 31 January. Applications are invited from those businesses that missed the opportunity to apply for this grant in December 2020.
Apply for DIscretionary Grant 3
10 December 2020
Frequently Asked Questions [289.87KB]
Local Restrictions Support [263.17KB]
Christmas Support Payment for wet-led pubs [245.06KB]
23 November 2020
We are pleased to say we are in a position to be taking applications from businesses for the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) announced on the 31st October 2020, is a discretionary scheme which in part, has been introduced to support businesses that are not eligible for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (closed) (LRSG).
To see the full details and to get the application form, please visit: https://www.spelthorne.gov.uk/LRSGO
This Discretionary Grant scheme will run from 23 November until midnight 6 December and will be the first of two phases of business support.
18 November 2020
We are pleased to say we are in a position to be taking applications from businesses for the Local Restrictions Support Grant.
The businesses and venues affected are listed in item 4 of the governments guidance document.
If your business was forced to cease trading as a direct result of the local restrictions and will remain closed for the entirety of the current lockdown cycle you may be eligible for this grant and are encouraged to apply.
To see the full details and to get the application form, please visit: https://www.spelthorne.gov.uk/LRSGO
Enterprise M3 is hosting a virtual event, EM3 Live, on 2 December from 10am to help businesses gain practical advice and inspiration from experts and peers who will share their views on growing and succeeding in business.
It's an interactive day full of incredible speakers, sessions and online networking to help inspire, motivate and educate you to help your business go further and shake up your business strategy for 2021.
If you're already in business, looking to start a business or just need some inspiration to help you progress - this event will help you.
- Learn new skills that you can apply to your business immediately
- Gain help and advice on how to grow your business from successful business leaders
- Discover how to find new customers and retain their business
More details can be found here: https://www.enterprisem3growthhub.co.uk/events/event/433
9 November 2020
On Wednesday 9 September, the Government announced there would be further funding to support businesses that are legally required to close due to restrictions being put in place to manage coronavirus and save lives. To find out more visit our Local Restrictions Support Grant page.
Updated 5 November 2020
Job Support Scheme Extension
Workers across the United Kingdom will benefit from increased support with a five-month extension of the furlough scheme into Spring 2021, the Chancellor announced on, 5 November.
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) will now run until the end of March with employees receiving 80% of their current salary for hours not worked.
Similarly, support for millions more workers through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will be increased, with the third grant covering November to January calculated at 80% of average trading profits, up to a maximum of £7,500.
The full details can be found on the government's website: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-extends-furlough-to-march-and-increases-self-employed-support
The Council will be receiving two forms of funding from Government on 13th November to assist local businesses within the Borough affected by the new national COVID-19 lockdown.
The first grant will be the Local Restrictions Grant (Closed) to help businesses, who pay business rates and who are required to close by the new lockdown regulations. This grant eligibility will be determined by regulations.
The second grant, the Additional Restrictions Grant is funding to enable the Council to set up a discretionary fund to assist businesses impacted by the lockdown not required by regulations to close and also be used to support businesses who do not pay business rates. This fund can also be used to top up in a targeted way support from Local Restricted Grant businesses particularly adversely impacted.
For the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed), funds will be paid on the following basis for each 14 days period to eligible business who are closed as a result of the regulations for the whole of that 14 period.
Recipients will have to confirm in writing that they are complying with State Aid requirements. Businesses that were in administration at the start of the 14-day period, are insolvent or where a striking-off notice has been made are not eligible for funding under this scheme
Businesses will receive funds due within 28 days of the completion of each 14 day qualifying period.
Once the detailed guidance for Councils has been issued, the Council will issue details of its discretionary policy for Additional Restrictions Grant and will provide details on its website and will provide an online application form.
Businesses need to note both types of grant will be taxable.
Updated 2 November 2020
This scheme will issue convertible loans between £125,000 to £5 million to innovative companies which are facing financing difficulties due to the coronavirus outbreak. To find out more visit https://bit.ly/32bH6gG
Updated 27 October 2020
The government's Job Support Scheme (JSS) will be expanded to protect jobs and support businesses required to close their doors as a result of coronavirus restrictions, the Chancellor has announced. Further details can be found on the government's website.
Updated 13 October 2020
People on lower incomes or those unable to work from home who have lost income as a result of self isolating will be able to benefit from a new package of government financial support.
The new Test and Trace support payment of £500, which is likely to be in place from 12 October, will ensure those on low incomes will be able to self isolate without having to worry about their finances.
From 28 September it will be mandatory for anyone with symptoms to self isolate, eligible people self isolating from this date will receive backdated payments once the scheme is set up.
And please remember, anyone with COVID-19 symptoms must self isolate and arrange to have a test.
25 September 2020
The Chancellor has announced the new Job Support Scheme. The Job Support Scheme is designed to protect viable jobs in businesses who are facing lower demand over the winter months due to Covid-19, to help keep their employees attached to the workforce. The scheme will open on 1 November 2020 and run for 6 months.
Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/job-support-scheme
The NHS COVID19 App launched on Thursday 24 September and is the next step in the fight to stop the spread of Coronavirus in Spelthorne. With multiple functions and using the privacy preserving technology, the App is the fastest way to see if you are at risk from Coronavirus. The quicker you know, the faster you can protect yourself, your loved ones and others. The more Spelthorne residents that download the App, the more we can protect Spelthorne residents.
How to download the app
Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.nhs.covid19.production
Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id1520427663
What does the NHS COVID19 App do?
Privacy and personal data
It's important to remember that the App tracks the virus - not you, which means all your personal data and information is always safe and protected. Any data shared on the App is held on your phone and the App doesn't use GPS so nobody will know who or where you are.
Some need to know information
To download and use the app you must:-
Checking in using QR codes
Certain types of businesses will have a legal requirement to display a QR poster, ready for customers to scan using the App from 24 September.
Look out for an NHS QR code poster when you enter these places so you can easily check-in using the app.
What businesses need to know
There is a bank of resources available, which gives detailed information on the App itself, including how to create and download the QR code that businesses will need to display at every entrance to their premises:
It was also announced that from 18 September a wider range of businesses will be legally required to log details of customers, visitors and staff, and that some businesses will now be legally required to enforce 'The Rule of Six', or face a fine of up to £4,000.
Full details of the announcement are available on the government's website.
Love your local area
Lockdown was difficult for many people and we should all do what we can to prevent it. Let's not only protect ourselves and our loved ones but also where we live so we can stop the spread of Coronavirus in our local areas.
Depending on your mobile device, visit the App Store or Google Play Store and search NHS COVID19 App to download. For more information about the app, watch the NHS video or visit the NHS COVID19 App webpage.
21 September 2020
Business and venue managers - New legal requirements
The Government announced that certain businesses and venues will be legally required to display NHS QR posters in their venues by Thursday 24 September, when the NHS Test and Trace app launches.
This includes all venues from the following sectors: hospitality, leisure and tourism, close contact services, places of worship and local authority venues.
There is a bank of resources available, which gives detailed information on the App itself, including how to create and download the QR code that businesses will need to display at every entrance to their premises: https://www.covid19.nhs.uk/information-and-resources.html?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=SocialSignIn
It was also announced that from 18 September, a wider range of businesses will be legally required to log details of customers, visitors and staff, and that some businesses will now be legally required to enforce 'The Rule of Six', or face a fine of up to £4,000.
Full details of the announcement are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/venues-required-to-enforce-rule-of-6-nhs-qr-code-posters-and-contact-logs?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=SocialSignIn
10 September 2020
Businesses in England that are required to shut because of local interventions will now be able to claim up to £1,500 per property every three weeks.
To find out more visist: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministers-announce-new-grants-for-businesses-affected-by-local-lockdowns
14 July 2020
Spelthorne Borough Council is making small businesses aware of free online advice available to help them bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic.
The Recovery Advice for Business scheme, which is supported by the government, will be hosted on the Enterprise Nation website, which can be found here: https://www.enterprisenation.com/freesupport/. Small firms will gain access to free, one-to-one advice with an expert adviser to help them through the pandemic and prepare for a long-term recovery.
Bespoke, specialist assistance is available for a number of sectors and each adviser has offered at least one hour of free advise a month until the end of 2020.
Further information can be found on the government's website: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/thousands-of-business-advisers-to-offer-free-services-to-small-firms?utm_source=af1e6d32-33e5-499c-8c32-903801a5c1a3&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=daily
16 June 2020
The Business Support Helpline is a free advice and guidance service operating across England. They can help all businesses, from those thinking about starting a business, through to those who are already established and trading.
Telephone: freephone 0800 998 1098
Email: enquiries@businesssupporthelpline.org
Twitter: @businessgov
Facebook: @businesssupportgov
1 June 2020
Guidance from central government about working safely, CIEH advice on Legionella and a FSA food safety checklist.
20 May 2020
The government has announced that businesses will be able to benefit from larger loans under the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS).
Under the scheme the maximum loan size available will be increased from £50 million to £200 million. This will help ensure large firms which do not qualify for the Bank of England's COVID Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF) have enough finance to meet cashflow needs during the outbreak.
The expanded loans will be available from Tuesday, May 26.
You can find more information by visiting https://www.gov.uk/government/news/larger-businesses-to-benefit-from-loans-of-up-to-200-million
13 May 2020
As of Monday 11 May, Spelthorne Borough Council has paid out a total of £11.29million to 856 businesses. We are in regular contact with business groups and last week sent out an eNewsletter with all the key information for local businesses. You can sign up to our eNewsletter to receive regular updates by visiting: https://www.spelthorne.gov.uk/article/16475/eNewsletter
12 May 2020
From 13 May you can check if you can claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
If you're self-employed or a member of a partnership and have been adversely affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) find out if you can use this scheme to claim a grant.
Find out if you can make a claim
The Chancellor has announced that the government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will remain open until the end of October.
Further information can be found on the GOV.UK website
The government, in consultation with industry, has produced guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as possible.
There are eight guides covering a range of different types of work. Many businesses operate more than one type of workplace, such as an office, factory and fleet of vehicles. You may need to use more than one of these guides as you think through how to keep people safe.
View the guidance for working safely during coronavirus Covid-19
28 April 2020
A new 100% government back grant has been announced by the government to help small businesses.
Small businesses will be able to able to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000 through a network of accredited lenders. The loan should reach businesses within days providing immediate support to those that need it as easily as possible and will be interest free for the first 12 months.
The government will work with lenders to agree a low standardised level of interest for the remaining period of the loan.
The loans will be easy to apply for through a short, standardised online application. No repayments will be due during the first 12 months.
The scheme will launch for applications on Monday 4 May.
For further information visit https://www.gov.uk/government/news/small-businesses-boosted-by-bounce-back-loans
21 April 2020
Find out what government support you are entitled to by visiting their website.
20 April 2020
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is now open for applications.
Employers can furlough anyone they employ, provided that on or before 19 March they were on PAYE payroll and HMRC has been notified of payment via the RTI system.
Employers can go online to claim cash grants worth up to 80% of wages, capped at £2,500 a month per worker. HMRC staff will operate the scheme. Further details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wages-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme
Please note the following key guidelines:
31 March 2020
Under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, all UK employers will be able to access support to continue paying part of their employees' salary for those employees that would otherwise have been laid off during this crisis.
Eligibility: All UK businesses are eligible and must be processed by business not individuals.
How to access the scheme
Your employer will need to:
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme FAQs
If you think you are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), please read the following information:
You can get £94.25 per week Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you're too ill to work. It's paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks.
If you are self-isolating because of COVID-19:
From 13 March, you can now claim SSP. This includes individuals who are caring for people self-isolating in the same household and therefore have been advised to do a household quarantine.
Further relaxation of the Minimum Income Floor for all self-employed claimants affected by the economic impact of COVID-19, ensuring their UC award will increase to reflect their lower earnings.
To check your sick pay entitlement, you should talk to your employer, and visit https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay for more information.
The government is legislating for SSP to be paid from day 1, rather than day 4, of your absence from work if you are absent from work due to sickness or need to self-isolate caused by COVID-19. Once the legislation has been passed, this will apply retrospectively from 13 March. You should talk to your employer if you are eligible for SSP and need to claim.
From Friday 20 March onwards, those who have COVID-19 or are advised to self-isolate will be able to obtain an "isolation note" by visiting NHS 111 online and completing an online form, rather than visiting a doctor. For COVID-19 cases this replaces the usual need to provide a "fit note" after seven days of sickness absence. Isolation notes will also be accepted by Jobcentre Plus as evidence of your inability to attend.
Extension of Statutory Sick Pay to self-isolaters and those in the same household caring for self-isolaters - payable from day 1 not day 4.
Contributory Employment and Support Allowance will be now be available from Day 1 not Day 8 for eligible people unable to work because they are directly affected by COVID-19 or self-isolating.
WHO TO CONTACT :your employer or Jobcentre Plus
If you are not eligible for SSP - for example if you are self-employed or earning below the Lower Earnings Limit of £118 per week - and you have COVID-19 or are advised to self-isolate, you can now more easily make a claim for Universal Credit (UC) or new style Employment and Support Allowance.
For more information on how to claim, please visit https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit and https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance.
If you are self-employed and receiving Universal Credit and you have COVID-19 or are advised to self-isolate, the requirements of the Minimum Income Floor will be temporarily relaxed. This change took effect on 13 March and will last for the duration of the outbreak, to ensure that self-employed UC claimants will receive support.
WHO TO CONTACT: the DWP - If you need to claim Universal Credit but have COVID-19 or are self-isolating, you will now be able to claim and to access advance payments upfront without needing to attend a Jobcentre Plus. Please visit https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit for more information.
If you are eligible for new style Employment and Support Allowance, it will now be payable from day 1 of sickness, rather than day 8, if you have COVID-19 or are advised to self-isolate.
WHO TO CONTACT:The DWP - Please visithttps://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance
27 March 2020
The following links provide advice and support for self-employed people.
https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/self-employment-income-support-scheme/
https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/self-employment-income-support-scheme-faqs/
23 March 2020
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 Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will cover the cost of wages backdated to March 1st and is initially open for 3 months, but will be extended if necessary
https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-job-retention-scheme/
To qualify for the relief the hereditament should be wholly or mainly being used for the
qualifying purposes [297.26KB]. This confirms no rateable value limit on relief for retail, leisure and hospitality sectors. Please see the document for detailed information.
Please note, the proposed scheme is provisional until the Government receives approval from EU under State Aid rule.
Due to Covid-19 outbreak the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced a number of initiatives including provision for 12 months exemption for Business Rates payers in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors- see the definitions below as to type of businesses which qualify and which do not.
To determine your eligibility please check the official legislation
This authority is now identifying all those eligible for the new provisions whereupon their business rates accounts will automatically be credited and revised bills, confirming businesses' rates liability, will be issued over the next 7-10 days.
Before the new rules can be implemented in full, the Government is awaiting confirmation of approval of the proposals by the EU under the State Aid rules which continue to operate under the EU Withdrawal Agreement period.
Further updates will be published here once official notifications have been received from the Government.
Coronavirus or COVID-19 update from Surrey Chamber of Commerce [1.14MB]
The websites below provide information and advice from the government that has implications for businesses.
Federation of Small Businesses - https://www.fsb.org.uk/resources-page/advice-to-small-businesses-and-fsb-members-about-the-novel-coronavirus-covid-19.html
British Chamber of Commerce - https://www.britishchambers.org.uk/page/coronavirus?k=30cdfbcf8e205792be8adadf43630166035c27d5
Share this page
