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
- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - Employer and Employee Guidance
- Chancellor sets out extra £750 million coronavirus funding for frontline charities
- New Updates and Guidance
- How your business can help the coronavirus response
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - Employer and Employee Guidance
The latest guidance for employers on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is available here. Find out if you’re eligible and how much you can claim to cover wages for employees on temporary leave ('furlough') due to coronavirus. The online service you’ll use to claim is not available yet. HMRC have been working hard to develop this scheme and we expect it to be available by the end of April 2020. Employee Guidance is also available.
Chancellor sets out extra £750 million coronavirus funding for frontline charities
Charities across the UK will receive a £750 million package of support to ensure they can continue their vital work during the coronavirus outbreak. £360 million will be directly allocated by government departments to charities providing key services and supporting vulnerable people during the crisis. £370 million will also be allocated for small and medium-sized charities, including through a grant to the National Lottery Community Fund for those in England. The application system for the National Lottery Community Fund grant pot is expected to be operational in the coming weeks. You can find more information here.
New Updates and Guidance
New
Coronavirus: letter to the retail sector
Letter from the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Alok Sharma, to those working in retail. The letter thanks all those who are working in retail during the coronavirus pandemic. The latest guidance on operating safely in the workplace during coronavirus for the retail sector is available here. The British Retail Consortium has also developed sector specific guidance on social distancing in warehouses and distribution centres aligned with this advice.
Coronavirus: letter to the manufacturing sector
Letter from the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Alok Sharma, to those working in manufacturing. The letter thanks all those who are working in manufacturing during the coronavirus pandemic. Read the latest guidance on operating safely in the workplace for manufacturing and processing businesses during coronavirus.
Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 8 April 2020
How your business can help the coronavirus response
NEW: Help the government increase coronavirus (COVID-19) testing capacity
The government wants help from businesses to increase testing capacity in the UK as part of its strategy to protect the NHS and save lives. Find out more here.
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 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.
Requests for Business Intelligence and Assistance
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.
Published on Tuesday 14th April 2020