FSB Friday newsletter: 08 January

News 8 Jan 2021

Covid-19: The latest

See our Covid-19 hub for the latest news and updates.

England

England's nationwide lockdown came into law on Wednesday, 6 January, replacing the tier system. People have been ordered to stay at home and only leave the house for:

  • Work if it is impossible to work from home
  • To shop for essentials
  • To exercise
  • To provide care
  • For a medical appointment

Non-essential retailers will be shut, together with gyms, hairdressers, sports facilities, pubs and restaurants. FSB National Chair Mike Cherry called this “disheartening news” for small businesses.

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced that businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are entitled to one-off grants worth up to £9,000. FSB’s Mike Cherry called this a “lifeline”, but told BBC, Sky News and talkRADIO that it “just won’t be enough for businesses which are already on the brink.”

Scotland

Mainland Scotland was put into a new strict lockdown on 5 January. FSB has called for support for more businesses impacted by the restrictions. 

Wales

Wales remains at Alert Level 4 for coronavirus, which triggers a lockdown in Wales.

Today, the First Minister has announced that lockdown measures will be extended and strengthened in some areas, until at least the 29 January.

FSB Wales is working urgently and has called on Welsh Government to provide guidance to businesses on what they should be planning for in the coming months, and to publish the details of financial support that they can expect.

Northern Ireland

Intense restrictions are in place in Northern Ireland with much of the economy mandated to close and tight restrictions in place on household mixing and travel, as things stand these restrictions are due to conclude on 6th February, however there is the possibility that these could be extended. Only retail and services considered essential are permitted to open and people are being urged to stay at home unless they have a reasonable excuse to travel.

ADVICE AND OPPORTUNITIES

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)

Employers are being reminded to find out if they are eligible for the CJRS and how much they can claim to cover wages for employees on furlough due to coronavirus. The scheme has been extended to 30 April 2021 and claims for furlough days in December 2020 must be made by 14 January 2021.

Skills Network

The Skills Network offers a range of Government-funded online courses. To find out how to apply for a place, send an e-mail or visit the website.

E-bills and promissory notes

The International Chamber of Commerce has launched a survey to gather evidence in support of digitising documents of title (Bills of Lading, Bills of Exchange and Promissory Notes). The results will be presented to Government. The deadline to participate is 22 January.

Tax returns

HMRC is reminding the self-employed to complete their tax return by 31 January. Find out if you need to declare on the Government’s website.

TRANSITION

The UK-EU transition period came to an end on December 31, 2020. If you are a UK business which imports from, or exports to, Europe, you will need to complete additional paperwork. See FSB’s transition hub for further advice.

LATEST NEWS

Directors Income Support Scheme

The Sun reports that the Treasury is considering a scheme proposed by FSB, Forgotten Limited, ACCA and  Rebecca Seeley-Harris to support the thousands of directors who have received no income support from the Government. The initiative would be modelled on the self-employment income support scheme, paying grants of up to £7,500 to cover three months of lost trading profits for those who earn less than £50,000 a year.

The green agenda

In order for the UK to achieve its net zero goal, FSB national chair Mike Cherry tells Speciality Food that the Government must give businesses a fair chance to adapt, thrive and grow in a low carbon economy.

POLITICS, PARLIAMENT AND FSB

  • We continue discussions with ministers, officials and parliamentarians on helping businesses cope with the latest raft of national restrictions. January is a time where business failure is more common, something which has been exacerbated by the pandemic
  • We are working to leverage our Five Point Plan and Spring Economic Plan asks, while discussing the Directors Income Support Scheme with the Treasury
  • We have welcomed the new retail, hospitality and leisure grants but expressed the way the levels are insufficient and many are still missing out
  • We took part in a call alongside Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds and the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Secretary of State Ed Miliband to discuss emergency support measures, the DISS and support for the newly self-employed
  • We had further discussions with BEIS, cross-referencing newly issued guidance with the circumstances of our members to check if they need to close and are eligible for grant support

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