See our Covid-19 hub for the latest news and updates.
England
England is still under a nationwide lockdown. Non-essential retailers are shut, together with gyms, hairdressers, sports facilities, pubs and restaurants.
Scotland
Lockdown measures in Scotland will remain in place for at least another month, however primary schools and nurseries will re-open to the youngest children from 22 February. Grant funding is available.
Wales
Wales is still in a national lockdown, with a review expected next week. Government funding is available.
Northern Ireland
Restrictions continue to be in place until 5 March. Government support, including a scheme to support Limited Company Directors is now open for applications.
TRANSITION
The transition period came to an end on December 31 2020. If you are a UK business which trades with Europe, you will need to change your procedures and complete additional paperwork. See FSB's transition hub for further advice.
SME vouchers
The Government has announced an SME Brexit Support Fund which will help small businesses with changes to trade rules with the EU. Traders will be able to apply for a grant of up to £2,000 to pay for practical support for importing and exporting.
LATEST NEWS
GDP figures
FSB National Chair Mike Cherry responded to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures, showing a 9.9% drop in the UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over 2020. He said: "This isn't just an economic stat. Businesses, jobs and livelihoods are in tatters."
Self-employment report
The trade union Prospect has released an inquiry into the Future of Self Employment, backed by FSB, which told the Mirror that it will be essential reading for the Treasury "to inform what we hope to see on March 3 - a Budget that drives recovery, clarifies support and regulation."
Earlier in the week, FSB's Craig Beaumont told The Times that newly self-employed people must not be kept out in the cold any longer.
HS2 go-ahead
Responding to the announcement that HS2 legislation has been given Royal Assent, FSB National Chair Mike Cherry said: "This marks a positive step forward," adding how our recovery from Covid-19 hinges on a solid transport system that can sustain our economy for the future.
Struggling firms and insolvency
BBC Breakfast explained on Thursday how FSB figures show that as many of a quarter of a million businesses could close in 2021 in the wake of the pandemic.
FSB will be supporting an online roundtable discussion for LGBT+ small business owners around new ideas for LGBT+ business support, sharing experiences and mentoring. To attend, e-mail your name, contact details and business.
POLITICS, PARLIAMENT AND FSB
- The public affairs team continues to work with MPs, Government and opposition front bench representatives, as well as government departmental officials on business support measures and Budget asks as we count down to 3 March.
- We met with Treasury officials to discuss our priorities surrounding the Budget, raising the need to support business-to-business suppliers who have fallen outside the eligibility criteria for grant support.
- FSB National Chair Mike Cherry gave evidence to the International Trade Committee to discuss the impact of the EU-UK Trade Agreement on small businesses.
- We have accepted an invitation from Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP to contribute to the Prime Minister's Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform (TIGRR).
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