Covid-19 Advice and Support
Food Drink Devon will keep this page up-to-date with links to useful and relevant Covid-19 advice and support.
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JANUARY 2021
GOV.UK (www.gov.uk/coronavirus)
Due to Coronavirus cases rising rapidly, the Governement has announced a third national lockdown to begin on 5th January 2021.
Prime Minister announces national lockdown
£4.6 billion in new lockdown grants to support businesses and protect jobs - Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are to receive a one-off grant worth up to £9,000, the Chancellor has announced.
Updated information
- Reporting outbreaks of coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) - Watch videos and register for the free webinars to learn more about the support available to help you deal with the economic impacts of coronavirus.
- Check if you can claim for your employees' wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - Find out if you’re eligible and how much you can claim to cover wages for employees on temporary leave ('furlough') due to coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant: 30 or more job placements - If you are an employer looking to create 30 or more jobs placements for young people, apply for funding as part of the Kickstart Scheme.
- Help employers apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant (Kickstart gateway) - Information for organisations who want to be a Kickstart gateway and help employers apply for the Kickstart Scheme.
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses - The latest information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Read this page for regular updates.
National Lockdown
- Closing certain businesses and venues in England
- National lockdown: Stay at Home
- Businesses and venues which must close - those supplying food and non-alcoholic drinks for takeaway (until 11pm), click-and-collect and drive-through can remain open. All food and drink (including alcohol) can continue to be provided by delivery.
- Businesses and venues which can remain open - includes food shops, off-licenses and market stalls.
- Financial Support
- financial support packages for businesses - support is available to employers and the self-employed, including sole traders and limited company directors. You may be eligible for loans, tax relief and cash grants, whether your business is open or closed.
- financial support for closed businesses as a result of tiering restrictions - The Local Restrictions Support Grants (LRSG (Closed) and LRSG (Closed) Addendum: Tier 4) support businesses that have been required to close due to temporary local restrictions.
- claim for employee wages through Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - Claim for some of your employee’s wages if you have put them on furlough or flexible furlough because of coronavirus (COVID-19).
- 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 impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) find out if you can use this scheme to claim a grant.
- financial support if you’re off work because of coronavirus - Guidance for people who are employed and cannot work due to coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Going to work
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Visit Britain
COVID-19 (new coronavirus) - latest information and advice for businesses - the latest tourism-related news and information for UK tourism businesses on the outbreak of COVID-19, including links to useful information and advice.
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Devon County Council
- Train4Tomorrow - #Train4Tomorrow offers free, high quality, digital and technical training to employed and unemployed adults. Please visit the website to find out more.
Peplows (www.peplows.co.uk/news)
- Small Firms In Line For Business Interruption Insurance Pay Out - The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has won its court case to get insurers to pay out for business interruption due to the first lockdown in the spring of 2020.
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2020
DECEMBER
Devon County Council
- Gap Grant Scheme - The Gap Grant Scheme is a specialist grant scheme designed to assist businesses facing severe financial difficulty due to cash-flow issues.
- Tier 2 Grants - A new scheme for businesses severely impacted by the Tier 2 restrictions is currently being developed.
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Support from Devon County Council
Support from local organisations
- Heart of the South West Growth Hub
- Devon Community Foundation
- Coronavirus Community Food Fund
- Exeter Grants Programme
Government schemes and other funds for businesses
- Click here to view the various schemes and funds available
GOV.UK (www.gov.uk/coronavirus)
- Business support
- The visitor economy
- COVID-19 Winter Plan
- Find out the coronavirus restrictions in your local area
- Devon - Tier 2: High Alert
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NOVEMBER
Devon County Council
Legislation.gov.uk (www.legislation.gov.uk)
GOV.UK (www.gov.uk/coronavirus)
- Tiering decisions to be made through national command structure
- Full list of local restriction tiers by area
- Local restriction tiers: what you need to know
- Updated rules for farm workers arriving in England
- Extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
- Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant extension
- COVID-19: guidance for food businesses
- Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
- New Style Employment and Support Allowance
- New National Restrictions from 5 November
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): what to do if you’re employed and cannot work
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): what to do if you’re self-employed and getting less work or no work
- Check if your employer can use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
- Local Restrictions Support Grants (LRSG) and Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG): guidance for local authorities
- Repay Eat Out to Help Out Scheme payments
- Apply for the coronavirus Future Fund
- Apply for the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme
- Apply for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
- Apply for a coronavirus Bounce Back Loan
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OCTOBER
GOV.UK (www.gov.uk/coronavirus)
- Furlough Scheme Extended and Further Economic Support announced
- Check if you can claim the Job Support Scheme - withdrawn
- Check if you can claim the Job Retention Bonus from 15 February 2021 - withdrawn
- The Prime Minister announces second national lockdown - read the Prime Minister's statement on Coronavirus
- NHS Test and Trace in the workplace
- Furlough Scheme Extended and Further Economic Support announced
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SEPTEMBER
GOV.UK (www.gov.uk/coronavirus)
- Help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) - Watch videos and register for the free webinars to learn more about the support available to help you deal with the economic impacts of coronavirus.
- Apply for a grant through the Kickstart Scheme - If you are an employer looking to create jobs placements for young people, apply for funding as part of the Kickstart Scheme.
- Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak on the Winter Economy Plan
- Winter Economy Plan
- Treatment of government grant support schemes in business interruption insurance settlements: Letter from the Economic Secretary to the Treasury to the Association of British Insurers - A response from HM Treasury to the letter sent by the Association of British Insurers regarding the practice of insurers deducting the value of government grants from business interruption insurance settlements.
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): What has changed – 22 September
- PM Commons statement on coronavirus: 22 September 2020
- Staying alert and safe - Going to work
- Maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace
- Legal Display of NHS QR Poster - Create a coronavirus NHS QR code for your venue
- Find coronavirus financial support for your business
- Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services
- Hotels and other guest accommodation
- The visitor economy
- Official figures show that the furlough scheme has worked: saving jobs and helping more than half of employees back to work already
- COVID-19: guidance for food businesses
- Claim money back through the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme
- Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19 - Pub, Bar, Restaurant or Takeaway
- Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) - The Visitor Economy
- Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can't do
- Ministers announce new grants for businesses affected by local lockdowns
- Kickstart Scheme opens for employer applications
- Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Devon County Council (www.devonnewscentre.info)
- Businesses urged to prepare for NHS COVID-19 app
- Kickstart Grant Scheme – reopening for tourism sector applications
HSE (www.hse.gov.uk/index.htm)
PHE (www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england)
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AUGUST
GOV.UK (www.gov.uk/coronavirus)
- Face coverings: when to wear one, exemptions, and how to make your own
- Maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace
- Claim money back through the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme
- Eat Out to Help Out - How to claim
- Eat Out to Help Out - How to Claim video - Youtube
- Further details of the Job Retention Bonus announced
- Find coronavirus financial support for your business
- Guidance on holidays in areas with local coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions
- Government announces £10 million for small businesses to kickstart tourism
- £20 million in new grants to boost recovery of small businesses
- Face coverings: when to wear one and how to make your own
- National Food Strategy announcement
Devon County Council
- Fund title: Kick-starting Tourism - Grants to help small businesses in tourist destinations to adapt their businesses in response to COVID-19
- Fund title: Government funding for small businesses - Grants up to £5,000 to help small businesses to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Fund title: Postcode Local Trust - Grants for improving outdoor spaces, encouraging biodiversity and promoting sustainability
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JULY
GOV.UK - www.gov.uk/coronavirus
- HMRC invites hospitality industry to register for Eat Out to Help Out
- Register your establishment for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme
- Additional government resources to support your business during coronavirus disruptions
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): disposing of waste - How to dispose of your personal or business waste, including face coverings and personal protective equipment (PPE), during the coronavirus pandemic.
- Containing and managing local coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreaks - Guidance for local authorities and local decision-makers on containing and managing COVID-19 outbreaks at a local level.
- Face coverings to be mandatory in shops and supermarkets from 24 July
- VAT: reduced rate for hospitality, holiday accommodation and attractions
- VAT on admission charges to attractions
- Get more information about the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme
- Register your establishment for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme - Find out how to register your restaurant or establishment for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme.
- Help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
- How to treat certain expenses and benefits provided to employees during coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Thousands of business advisers to offer free services to small firms
- Rishi's Plan for Jobs will help Britain bounce back - The Chancellor Rishi Sunak today set out a ‘Plan for Jobs’ that will spur the UK’s recovery from the Coronavirus outbreak.
- Government announces £10 million for small businesses to kickstart tourism
- 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.
- Maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace - Organisations in certain sectors should collect details and maintain records of staff, customers and visitors on their premises to support NHS Test and Trace.
- Flexible furlough scheme starts today - Businesses will have the flexibility to bring furloughed employees back to work part time from today (1 July) as part of the government’s plan to re-open the UK and kick-start our economy.
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Links to Business Grants in your area:
Click on the links below to find out about the (area specific) grants and other support for your business:
- East Devon District Council
- Exeter City Council
- Mid Devon District Council
- North Devon Council
- South Hams District Council
- Teignbridge District Council
- Torridge District Council
- West Devon Borough Council
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GREAT:
- Support for Agriculture, Food and Drink Businesses - Trade advisers, events, and export finance. The Department for International Trade (DIT) can help your business grow internationally by providing the right support for you.
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Devon County Council:
- Team Devon COVID-19 Economy and Business Recovery Prospectus
- Business and Economy - Economic recovery plan to build a stronger Devon - Team Devon has pledged to re-build the county’s economy to be stronger, more inclusive and sustainable as it unveiled the prospectus for its COVID-19 Economy and Business Recovery Plan.
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Information Commissioner's Office:
- Statement on the publication of ICO guidance to businesses collecting personal data for contact tracing
- Contact tracing - protecting customer and visitor details
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GOV.UK - Reopening Safely:
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) - updated
- 5 steps to working safely - Practical actions for businesses to take based on 5 main steps.
- Restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services - Guidance for keeping workers and customers safe in restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services.
- Shops and branches - Guidance for people who work in or run shops, branches, stores or similar environments.
- Hotels and other guest accommodation - Guidance for people who work in or run hotels and other guest accommodation.
- The visitor economy - Guidance for people who work in hotels and guest accommodation, indoor and outdoor attractions, and business events and consumer shows.
- Vehicles - Guidance for people who work in or from vehicles, including couriers, mobile workers, lorry drivers, on-site transit and work vehicles, field forces and similar.
- Guidance to help employers, employees and the self-employed understand how to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic.
- Opening certain businesses and venues in England from 4 July 2020 - Guidance on the further easing of coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions from 4 July 2020.
- Staying alert and safe (social distancing) - The most important thing we can do is to stay alert, control the virus, and in doing so, save lives.
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Visit Britain:
- COVID-19 Consumer Sentiment Tracker
- VisitEngland partners with national tourist organisations to launch industry standard for UK tourism
- COVID-19 (new coronavirus) - latest information and advice for businesses
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Sustainable Restaurant Association:
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JUNE
GOV.UK:
- PM: A New Deal for Britain
- More firms can now benefit from the Future Fund
- Government unveils £200 million package to help innovative businesses bounce back
- Government outlines support for pubs, cafes and restaurants
- Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - updated
- ‘Bounce back’ plan for agriculture, food and drink industry launched
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter to the retail sector
- Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - updated
- Apply for the coronavirus Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund - updated
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for accommodation providers - updated
- Trade Credit Insurance backed by £10 billion guarantee
- Dairy response fund set to open for applications
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Food Standards Agency:
- Reopening checklist for food businesses during COVID-19 - A checklist to support food businesses to reopen safely during COVID-19 after a period of inaction.
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Visit England:
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Devon County Council:
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South Hams District Council:
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BBfA:
COVID-19 Toolkit - Considerations for restarting your business safely
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PASC UK:
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British Business Banks:
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Acas:
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Health and Safety Executive:
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MAY
GOV.UK:
Don't forget to check out ' The Skills Toolkit' - theskillstoolkit.campaign.gov.uk/
- Offer coronavirus support from your business
- Coronavirus Business Support
- Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Chancellor extends Self-Employment Support Scheme and confirms furlough next steps
- Check if you can claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
- Check if you can claim for your employees' wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
- Check if your employer can use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
- Work out 80% of your employees' wages to claim through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
- Check which employees you can put on furlough to use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
- Check if you can claim back Statutory Sick Pay paid to employees due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Government introduces legislation to relieve burden on businesses and support economic recover
- Check which expenses are taxable if your employee works from home due to coronavirus (COVID-19) - Updated
- Larger businesses to benefit from loans of up to £200 million
- UK Global Tariff backs UK businesses and consumers
- Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme set to launch
- Check the tax rules on waiving your income or donating to charity
- Business Secretary's statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 17 May 2020
- COVID-19: guidance for employees, employers and businesses
- COVID-19: cleaning of non-healthcare settings
- Work out 80% of your employees' wages to claim through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - Updated
- Coronavirus support for business from outside government - Updated
- Rules that have been relaxed to help businesses during the coronavirus pandemic
- New guidance launched to help get Brits safely back to work
- Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy
- Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can't do
- Public advised to cover faces in enclosed spaces
- Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses - Updated
- New webinars to boost support for SMEs during coronavirus
- New Bounce Back Loans to launch today
- Self-employed invited to get ready to make their claims for coronavirus (COVID-19) support
- Apply for the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme
- Pick for Britain Webiste
- Top-up to local business grant funds scheme
- How different circumstances affect the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
- £6.1 million funding boost to help high streets and town centres through pandemic
- Destroying spoilt beer, cider, wine or made-wine during coronavirus (COVID-19)
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Food Standards Agency:
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Stephens Scown:
- How to carry out a compliant right to work check during the Coronavirus pandemic
- How to change employment contracts to reduce pay and/or hours
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Devon County Council:
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April
GOV.UK:
- The Skills Toolkit - made up of free online courses, tools and resources to help you improve your digital and numeracy skills.
- From the sea to the door: New grant scheme to support seafood businesses in England to sell catches
- Seasonal work on farms: guidance for workers
- Additional government resources to support your business during coronavirus disruptions
- Apply for a coronavirus Bounce Back Loan
- PCA Statement – Update on Support for Tied Pub Tenants in Relation to COVID-19
- Small businesses boosted by bounce back loans
- Extra month to claim for farm payments
- Deferral of VAT payments due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Financial support for businesses during coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Manage financial difficulties in your charity caused by coronavirus
- Check if you can claim for your employees' wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
- Work out 80% of your employees' wages to claim through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
- Apply for the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme
- Find coronavirus financial support for your business tool
- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme up and running
- Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
- Claim a grant through the coronavirus (COVID-19) Self-employment Income Support Scheme
- Grant funding provided to businesses by local authorities in England
- Coronavirus grant funding: local authority payments to small and medium businesses
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for UK businesses
- New measures to protect UK high street from aggressive rent collection and closure
- Fisheries Response Fund - support for fishing and aquaculture businesses
- Information on Farm Advice for farmers and land managers
- Chancellor extends furlough scheme to end of June
- Chancellor expands loan scheme for large businesses
- Guidance for consumers on coronavirus (COVID-19) and food
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter to the retail sector
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Business Support
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DEFRA:
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SWBSS:
- SW Business Support Solutions
- They also offer financial solutions as well as the implementation of remote working systems like a Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) or compliance tracker. Book a FREE meeting to discuss more.
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Stephens Scown:
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Stephens Scown:
- How businesses can survive and thrive during Coronavirus
- Coronavirus Business Update – Government announces £1.25 billion support package for start-up and scale-up businesses
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HSE:
- The Health and Safety Executive has written an open letter to the food industry including advice on PPE
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The Rockefeller Foundation:
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DEFRA:
Job Retention Scheme guidance
HMRC has published further guidance for employees to check if their employer can use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
Updated guidance on grants for self-employed people
HMRC has updated guidance on how to claim a grant through the Coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, and published guidance on how total income and trading profits are calculated for the scheme.
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VisitBritain | VisitEngland:
- Reach media around the world with your heart-warming stories
- COVID-19 support and advice for businesses now available on the Business Advice Hub
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Devon County Council - Funding News:
Devon County Council continues to update its dedicated webpage listing the grants that have been launched for organisations and individuals in need of financial support as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Continue reading →
Social Entrepreneurs Programme
Grants and support for people starting up or developing a social or community enterprise Continue reading →
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Food Standards Agency:
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Stephens Scown:
- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – Directors Key Questions Answered
- Key areas businesses should not forget about during Coronavirus
- Zoom terms and conditions – legal points to consider
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Peplows Chartered Accountants:
Mind Map and Toolkit - detailing the range of support available depending on criteria such as business structure and sector.
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The latest news from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs:
At this busy time, Government communications are increasing to ensure that stakeholders are aware of updated guidance. As a result, you may have received the information below from different sources.
Latest guidance from Public Health England can be found here.
#FoodHeroes
Defra has posted a new video highlighting that many food and drink businesses are still open and delivering to homes.
Please share or highlight your own examples of hidden heroes using #FoodHeroes.
Latest Government press conference
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove has hosted today’s #coronavirus press conference (04 April 2020).
Material published by Public Health England
Public Health England update a daily dashboard later the same day, to show trends in UK data on positive tests and deaths and to provide confirmed cases in each local authority and NHS region in England.
Coronavirus: Latest retailer activity
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is providing a daily update on the actions taken by retailers to respond to the Coronavirus pandemic.
You can read today’s update on the BRC website.
COVID-19: guidance for employees, employers and businesses
Organisations should pay particular attention to the guidance for employees, employers and businesses which is being updated regularly with the latest advice.
There is also separate information for businesses in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
UK Hospitality guidance
UK Hospitality is providing detailed guidance and an FAQ for members of the hospitality industry, as well as a daily newsletter.
Business impact reporting for farmers and growers
The NFU is gathering information on the impact of coronavirus on the agricultural and horticultural industries across the UK.
Farmers and growers can provide information on any business-critical issues they have encountered, or expect to encounter, which will then be used in an anonymised format to flag the key issues agriculture and horticulture are facing to government on a daily basis.
You can provide this information on the NFU website.
Please continue to send your sector insight to [email protected]
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Heart of the South West Growth Hub support: regularly updated with Covid-19 support for businesses - www.heartofswgrowthhub.co.uk/covid-19-support-for-business/
There are a number of surveys underway to measure effects and to capture data so that helpful interventions can be made. The Government one is available here: www.gov.uk/coronavirus-support-from-business
And the South West Manufacturing Advisory Service is carrying out a survey specifically about the manufacturing sector until 17 April: survey.zohopublic.eu/zs/dMB8VI
Farmers and growers can provide information on business critical issues on the NFU Covid-19 Impact Form and we’ll be issuing our next Quarterly Economic Survey shortly in partnership with the business representative organisations.
To receive regular updates from the Heart of the SW Growth Hub, please sign up to their newsletter at the bottom of their homepage here: heartofswlep.co.uk/
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Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy:
Coronavirus support from Business Representative Organisations and Trade Associations...
Business Representative Organisations and Trade Associations are providing coronavirus related support for specific sectors.
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Devon County Council:
Information about grant and funding support
In addition to the grants that they are making available, there are other grants for care workers, community organisations, businesses and individuals, charities, hospitality industry, sports sector, and grants for the arts industry. Devon County Council have brought information about all of them together on their coronavirus webpages.
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Plymouth County Council:
Thousands apply for business grants
Since writing to all businesses eligible for the new Small Business Grant Fund and the Retail Hospitality and Leisure Fund last week, Plymouth County Council have received nearly 2,300 completed submissions.
The funds offer grants of up to £25,000 to help businesses through the coronavirus pandemic. They've paid out £18 million so far and are aiming to make all payments within two weeks of receiving the request.
Plymouth County Council are also running a dedicated helpline to support businesses who haven’t received a letter, or who are unable to access their business premises but believe they are eligible for the grants. You can find more details, including eligibility criteria, on the Invest in Plymouth website.
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Visit England/Visit Britain:
The Chancellor has today announced the following:
- An extension of the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) to ensure all viable small businesses affected by COVID-19, rather than just those unable to secure regular commercial financing, will now be eligible should they need finance to keep operating during this difficult time.
- The Government has also announced it will be stopping lenders from requesting personal guarantees for loans under £250,000, and will be making changes to speed up approvals.
- The Government will continue to cover the first 12 months of interest fees.
- A new Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) will provide a government guarantee of 80% to enable banks to make loans of up to £25 million to firms with an annual turnover of between £45 million and £500 million.
The full announcement can be read here. We will share any further information and updates on these schemes as they become available.
Additional recent Government announcements include:
- Cash support for food redistribution during the coronavirus outbreak to prevent food waste.
- Update on deferring VAT payments because of coronavirus, clarifying that import VAT payments are not included.
- Update to the guidance for local authorities setting out details of the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF), outlining information on state aid, monitoring and reporting requirements, post-payment checks and the eligibility of charities.
- The 2020 National Living Wage came into effect on Wednesday 1 April.
- The Business rates: expanded retail discount – guidance has been updated to confirm that the government’s assessment that the expanded retail discount is not a state aid, and that local authorities should therefore award relief to all eligible properties.
Further to this, the Local Government Association and the Tourism Alliance have identified some tourism businesses that are not explicitly mentioned in the business rates relief guidance, but it is felt that they fall into the intended category. Councils are being asked to give consideration to the premises listed below for inclusion in their local schemes:
- Amusement arcades
- Vehicle rental sites
- Conference and exhibition venues
- Travel and tour operators
- Tourism Information Centres
- Tourism Boards/Destination Management Organisations
- Coach operators
- English language schools
- Travel/hospitality industry charities (offices)
- Marinas/boat hire/passenger boat facilities
£50 million Heritage Emergency Fund launched
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has put together a £50 million fund to support the heritage sector as an immediate response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
It is available to organisations across the full breadth of the heritage sector, including historic sites, industrial and maritime heritage, museums, libraries and archives, parks and gardens, landscapes and nature.
Local Growth Hubs
The Department for Business, Enterprise and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is encouraging businesses across England to contact their local Growth Hub, which can provide a free to use, impartial and local single point of contact to all businesses so that they can access the right advice and support. The hubs can advise businesses on local and national business support including schemes in place to help businesses through the current COVID-19 situation. Find your local Growth Hub.
Upcoming business support webinars
UK Government’s Business Support website has a list of upcoming webinar events from government and non-government partners.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are delivering a programme of webinars on measures to support employers, employees and the self-employed through this period of disruption. You can watch a video of the recorded webinar on the HMRC YouTube channel Coronavirus – (COVID-19): helping employers to support employees.
With best wishes from the team at VisitBritain/VisitEngland.
See all Covid-19 updates for businesses
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Food Made Good
Regular updates are available here.
Food Made Good hosted a Webinar: Delivery Made Good. You can listen to this or read the summary here.
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March
Government advice and support:
Letter from the Environment Secretary to the food and drink industry
- Guidance for food businesses on coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Support for people who are self-employed
- Self-employment Income Support Scheme
- NEW Tax helpline to support businesses affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Companies to receive 3-month extension period to file accounts during COVID-19
- Business rates: expanded retail discount - guidance
- Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)
- Closing certain businesses and venues
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AHBD:
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Visit Britain/ Visit England:
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Stephens Scown:
- IP, tech and data protection support for UK organisations affected by COVID-19
- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – What do we know so far?
- Key digital trends for food and drink businesses
- Tackling the problem of food waste
- Decision taking by Directors – Business Resilience and Recovery
- Brewer beware - Legal and optional requirements for labelling that brewers should know
- COVID-19 – Our response to the challenges ahead
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Government advice and support:
- Guidance on the closure of all non-essential business and premises
- Guidance and advance for those providing hotel, other accomodation in the UK
- Guidance for UK businesses trading internationally
- Advice for accommodation providers
- Companies to receive 3-month extension period to file accounts during COVID-19
- Cleaning of non-healthcare settings
- Guidance for employers and businesses on COVID-19 poster
- Support for business - including information on Commercial insurance, Support for businesses who are paying sick pay to employees, Support for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses that pay business rates and more
- Support for larger firms through the COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility
- Guidance for employees
- Guidance on business support grant funding
- Extra protection for businesses with ban on evictions for commercial tenants who miss rent payments
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Visit Britain and Visit England have a new section on their Business Advice Hub dedicated to supporting tourism and event business affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
You can also join their new social marketing activity to remind visitors of Britain with inspirational content including food & drink (British recipes from iconic restaurants, food traditions and culture, pubs).
For the most up to date advice and support from the government, please continue to visit: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
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Heart of the South West Growth Hub support:
The LEP is working hard with key partners in Government, Local Authorities, Business Representative Organisations and other agencies to support businesses through the unprecedented health and economic shock we are facing due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
The Heart of the South West Growth Hub is being promoted as a single point of contact for all advice and guidance, and its website is continually update as new information comes in about the measures and support packages that are emerging from Government.
Details on specific financial packages, eligibility and processes for applying are still being developed.
At the same time local and free support and assistance is being offered by local partners and they are including details and links to these schemes on the Growth Hub website.
The Growth Hub team have capacity and interim support has been put into place by LEP partners to ensure increased volumes of enquiries can be managed. Longer term capacity is also being reviewed considering the budget announcement of more funding for Growth Hubs.
Updates and communications on latest advice will also begin shortly from the Growth Hub and businesses can sign up to receive this service. In the meantime, the Growth Hub’s contact details are:
Website: www.heartofswgrowthhub.co.uk/
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 03456 047 047
And regular updates on relevant themes are being promoted through the LEP’s main Twitter accounts: @HeartofSWLEP @GrowthHubHotSW @HotSWSkillsCareers and on LinkedIn.
The LEP and its partners are also collating through the Growth Hub real-time local impacts on businesses from the pandemic to escalate key issues straight to Government, and advise them on what additional support and measures that are needed.
For example, they are setting up conversations with key sectors including food production; tourism; nuclear; maritime; aviation; digital.
They are also seeking clarity on the current mechanisms and support being announced.
Digital Skills
The HotSW DSP have recently published updated information including advice to business on remote working, useful tools and resources to support staff’s digital competency to use digital solutions. This information will be updated regularly as new resources and webinars come online, viewed either through the newsletter (sign up at the bottom of their website) or Growth Hub website.
You can sign up for future Digital Skills Partnership newsletters.
Heart of the South West Virtual Careers Fairs
The HotSW Skills and Careers team have put together a set of resources to help employees in businesses adversely affected by COVID-19, as well as those who recently lost their jobs by two major employers in our area – Flybe and Axminister Carpets – going into administration. There is new information on the LEP’s website published today, and to be updated as further resources come in from our partners in all Heart of the South West areas.