Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Businesses and Employers Bulletin  12 May 2020

This bulletin has been provided to us by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

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

• Chancellor extends furlough scheme until October 2020
• New guidance for Safer Travel and Safer Transport Operations
• Next steps for the phased wider opening of educational and childcare settings
• New Updates and Guidance
• Requests for Business Intelligence and Assistance

Chancellor extends furlough scheme until October 2020

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will remain open until the end of October, the Chancellor announced today. The scheme will continue to apply across all regions and sectors in the UK economy. Furloughed workers across the UK will continue to receive 80% of their current salary, up to £2,500.

From the start of August, furloughed workers will be able to return to work part-time with employers being asked to pay a percentage towards the salaries of their furloughed staff. The employer payments will substitute the contribution the government is currently making, ensuring that staff continue to receive 80% of their salary, up to £2,500 a month.

The scheme will continue in its current form until the end of July. Changes to allow more flexibility will come in from the start of August. More specific details and information around implementation will be made available by the end of this month.

New guidance for Safer Travel and Safer Transport Operations

Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer transport guidance for operators - This guide will help businesses, agencies and others understand how to provide safer workplaces and services for themselves, their workers and passengers across all modes of private and public transport. It outlines measures to assess and address the risks of coronavirus in the transport sector across England.

Guidance for passengers on how to travel safely – This guidance provides advice on how passengers should make journeys safely. The advice sets out that if people who cannot work from home and have to travel for work, they should first consider alternatives to public transport. Those driving their own cars have been asked to avoid busy areas. For those who have to use public transport, the guidance recommends:

• Keeping 2 metres apart wherever possible;
• Wearing a face covering if you can;
• Using contactless payment where possible;
• Avoiding rush hour travel where feasible;
• Washing or sanitising your hands as soon as possible before and after travel;
• Following advice from staff and being considerate to others.

All the latest guidance for people using transport or working in the transport sector during the coronavirus outbreak can be found here.

Next steps for the phased wider opening of educational and childcare settings

What parents and carers need to know about schools and other education settings during the coronavirus outbreak – Updated information for parents and carers about the wider opening to nurseries, schools and colleges from 1 June is now available.

Actions for educational and childcare settings to prepare for wider opening from 1 June 2020 in England – Guidance is available on how educational and childcare settings should prepare for wider opening from 1 June 2020, including information on year groups in first phase of wider opening, the latest science, and managing risk and rate of transmission of coronavirus.

All the latest guidance and advice about coronavirus in educational settings for staff, parents and carers, pupils and students is available here.

New Updates and Guidance

New

Coronavirus (COVID-19): health and wellbeing of the adult social care workforce

Advice for those working in adult social care on managing their mental health and how employers can take care of the wellbeing of their staff during the coronavirus outbreak.

Updates

HMRC Business Webinars. HMRC are continuing to run webinars on the following topics.

• Coronavirus COVID-19 Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme
• Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – How to make a claim
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS)

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: step by step guide for employers

A revised version of the guide that is clearer and includes recent additions to the process has been published.

Coronavirus grant funding: local authority payments to small and medium businesses

Data updated as of 10 May 2020.

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.