This bulletin is issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and provides the latest information for employers and businesses on coronavirus (COVID-19). All coronavirus business support information can be found at gov.uk/business-support
- Thousands of high street shops, department stores and shopping centres to reopen safely in England
- Parents returning to work after extended leave eligible for furlough
- New Updates and Guidance
- Requests for Business Intelligence and Assistance
Thousands of high street shops, department stores and shopping centres to reopen safely in England
Shops in England selling non-essential goods will be able to reopen from Monday 15 June. Non-essential retail will need to continue following UK government guidelines to keep staff and customers safe. Businesses should display a downloadable notice to inform customers and staff they have followed COVID secure guidance.
Retailers will need to take certain steps to protect customers and staff, including limiting the number of customers allowed inside at one time, placing protective coverings on large items such as sofas which may be touched by passing shoppers, and frequently checking and cleaning objects and surfaces. Find out more here.
Parents returning to work after extended leave eligible for furlough
People on paternity and maternity leave who return to work in the coming months will be eligible for the government’s furlough scheme even after 10 June cut-off date. This will only apply where they work for an employer who has previously furloughed employees. This applies to people on adoption leave, shared parental leave, and parental bereavement leave. Find out more here.
The scheme will otherwise close to new entrants from 30 June. This means that the final date by which an employer needs to agree with their employee and ensure they place them on furlough is today, 10 June. Find out more here.
New Updates and Guidance
New
Migration Advisory Committee seeks views on skills shortages
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is currently seeking evidence from business organisations and employers on what skills are currently in short supply across the UK labour market as part of a review of the shortage occupation lists. As a result of the coronavirus outbreak, alongside the main call for evidence, the MAC have created options for businesses to provide more limited evidence or to register that they would have responded in different circumstances. Find out more here.
Sending your forms to Companies House during the coronavirus outbreak
As an emergency response to coronavirus Companies House has developed a temporary online service to upload a number of completed forms and send them to Companies House digitally. Find out which documents you can upload here.
Whole home testing rolled out to all care homes in England
Every care home in England will now be offered a coronavirus test for all residents and staff, even if they have no symptoms. Find out more here. New guidance on the Adult Social Care Infection Control Fund is also available for adult social care providers. You can find it here.
Updates
Apply for the coronavirus Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund
The Discretionary Grant Fund supports small and micro businesses in England that are not eligible for other grant schemes. Guidance has been updated to includes details on eligibility points. To be eligible, your business should have ongoing fixed property-related costs, and occupy property (or part of a property) with a rateable value or annual mortgage/rent payments below £51,000. Find out more here.
The Basic Payment Scheme: information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses
The Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) applications, Country Stewardship (CS) and Environmental Stewardship (ES) annual revenue claims, close on 15 June. To support applications, the Rural Payments helpline will be open on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June (8:30am-2pm) on 03000 200 301. Find out more here.
Requests for Business Intelligence and Assistance
Offer coronavirus support
Tell us how your business might be able to help with the response to coronavirus by using our online service.
Share the impact coronavirus is having on your organisation
Let us know how the outbreak is impacting your business. Please send your intelligence, including information and feedback on the safer workplace guidance, to intel@beis.gov.uk. Commercially sensitive information will be treated accordingly. Please note that this inbox is only for receiving intelligence and does not provide business advice.
Help us shine a light on the stories of key workers
Tell us about key workers you know that are helping to keep the UK moving during the Coronavirus pandemic. Please fill in this online form for key workers in the following sectors: manufacturing, construction, consumer goods, scientists/researchers, servicing, postal workers, and oil/gas/electricity/water/sewage/chemical workers.
Other useful links
Some aspects of business support are devolved. Specific information for businesses and employers in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales is available. In England, Growth Hubs can advise on local and UK Government business support. You can also find helpful business case studies and other useful information on the Coronavirus Business Support Blog.
Published on Wednesday 10th June 2020