Business Bulletin: Issue Number 25

Business Bulletin: Issue Number 25

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Covid-19: support for businesses – updates 1 June 2020

Check if you can claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

The self-employment income support scheme has now been extended. A second and final grant will be available when the scheme opens again in August 2020. If you’re eligible and want to claim the first grant you must claim on or before 12 July 2020. Find out more here.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is changing

Guidance has been updated with information about how the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is changing. Updates include information about how the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is changing, what pension trustees may do whilst on furlough and the eligibility TUPE.

From 1 July, employers can bring back to work employees that have previously been furloughed for any amount of time and any shift pattern, while still being able to claim CJRS grant for their normal hours not worked. When claiming the CJRS grant for furloughed hours; employers will need to report and claim for a minimum period of a week.

The scheme will close to new entrants from 30 June 2020. From this point onwards, employers will only be able to furlough employees that they have furloughed for a full 3-week period prior to 30 June.

This means that the final date by which an employer can furlough an employee for the first time will be 10 June 2020, in order for the current three week furlough period to be completed by 30 June. Employers will have until 31 July to make any claims in respect of the period to 30 June.

Further guidance on flexible furloughing and how employers should calculate claims will be published on 12 June 2020. Find out more information on how the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is changing.

Information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses

The latest information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses has been updated with information on farm visits and inspections stating week commencing 1 June.

Temporary relaxation of the enforcement of the driver’s hours rules: all sectors carriage of goods by road

The EU drivers’ hours relaxations ended on 31 May 2020. The GB drivers’ hours relaxation applies until Saturday 14 June 2020. Anyone driving the GB drivers’ hours rules and undertaking carriage if goods by road can use the relaxations where necessary. The relaxations are not limited to specific sectors or journeys. Find out more here.

Check out the free BEIS working safely webinars for business:

This week’s webinars are available as follows: https://bit.ly/BEISWebinars

• Tuesday 2nd June: 11am: Offices & contact centres
• Tuesday 2nd June: 3pm: Other people’s homes

Check out these examples of businesses opening safely

• Barratt Group Ltd: https://twitter.com/HMGMidlands/status/1266346327924973569?s=20
• Autins: https://twitter.com/HMGMidlands/status/1265961739809689600?s=20
• dBD Communications: https://twitter.com/HMGEast/status/1265588122550747137?s=20

Business Support Helpline FREEPHONE 0800 998 1098

Free ACAS Webinar ‘Coronavirus – an advisory webinar for employers’. Find out more 

Read here for the latest public information and public health advice about COVID-19