COVID-19: THE LATEST
For all the latest news and updates, visit our Covid-19 hub.
The Department of Health and Social Care has launched a toolkit for employers to help ensure employees get reliable information about COVID-19 vaccines.
Access the toolkit to get materials for you to run internal awareness campaigns, including key messages, posters, fact sheets and videos providing accurate, up-to-date information.
EU TRADE
If you are a UK business which trades with Europe, keep track of the latest changes and developments via FSB's transition hub.
NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES
Interest rate rises after inflation surges
The Bank of England increased the base rate to 0.25% on Thursday (16 December), a day after the ONS reported that the headline rate of input prices grew by 14.3% in the year to November, while the consumer prices index grew by 5.1% over the same period. On the base rate news, Mike Cherry, FSB National Chair, said: “With many businesses far past the point where they can absorb surging input costs, the hope is that this intervention [by the Bank of England] helps to curb price rises. The concern, by contrast, is that this increase proves to be the worst of both worlds: too little to rein in inflation, and too much for indebted businesses who cannot afford extra repayments.” Following the inflation news, Mike Cherry stated: “Surging operating costs, labour shortages and supply chain disruption are adding to the nightmare before Christmas being experienced by millions of small business owners.” FSB is calling on the Government to unveil more support for businesses in the hardest-hit sectors, highlighting VAT reductions, business rates rebates, an uplift in the Employment Allowance, and a relaunch of the COVID Statutory Sick Pay rebate for small employers as among the actions it should take.
Cash strategy launched
The Cash Action Group has set out measures to protect communities’ access to cash. FSB National Vice Chair Martin McTague, who sits on the Community Access to Cash Pilots Board, said: “As the pandemic accelerates the shift to cashless, this new strategy will bring hope to communities which are losing bank branches and ATMs. Not only do millions of consumers still want to use cash, it also serves as an important backup for when digital systems fail, as well as a competitor to the handful of card companies that dominate the contactless space.”
Plastic Packaging Tax – details of what is included
HMRC has released guidance for businesses which will be affected by the Plastic Packaging Tax, on which plastic packaging will be in or out of scope for the tax. It has also set out the requirements under the tax around record keeping and accounts.
Omicron guidance update
The Government has once again updated its pages on working safely during coronavirus for England, with new guidance on daily testing for contacts of positive cases, and to remove out of date information on self-isolation for contacts of Omicron cases.
Customs paper published
HMRC has published Customs Information Paper 2, listing the details of the new rules for goods leaving Great Britain, which come into effect on 1 January.
Trailer and van transport – new rules
The Government has updated its guidance on what you need to do if your business uses a car towing a trailer, or van, to transport goods on a commercial basis to the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland from 21 May 2022. You will need to apply and pay for a goods vehicle operator licence and appoint a transport manager who will be responsible for ensuring drivers follow industry regulations. Check whether the new rules will apply to you and find out more here.
French (data) connection?
We are looking to speak to businesses that have had to transfer data to Europe-based servers in order to continue to do business in France. If you have experienced this we would like to hear from you – please contact [email protected].
Trade impact on SMEs
The House of Lords European Affairs Committee has published a report “on trade in goods between Great Britain and the European Union one year after the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union”, which has found that the new burdens associated with trading goods between Great Britain and the EU “have fallen particularly heavily on smaller and medium sized businesses, who have fewer resources to draw upon to help them adapt”. SMEs in the UK and in the EU were affected.
Late payment framework
The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy has published the Late Payment Common Framework, which covers policy “previously covered by EU legislation designed to protect businesses against late payment in commercial transactions”, and which aims “to facilitate multilateral policy development through establishing governance arrangements and setting out commitments for ways of working”.
Proof of illness for SSP
As of 10 December and until 26 January 2022, employees who are off work sick cannot be asked for proof of sickness by their employer for absences under 28 days in length, HMRC has said.
Report people with significant control discrepancies online
Companies House has launched a new online service to allow those companies obligated to do so under anti-money laundering legislation to report discrepancies in people with significant control linked to companies which they are carrying out due diligence upon.
Business debt report
The Money Advice Trust has released a report, Building Back Business, which brings together experiences of callers to the Trust’s Business Debtline advice service, and recommends that the Government and British Business Bank work together with lenders to ensure “a fair and affordable approach to recovering Bounce Back Loans”, and calling on the Department for Work and Pensions to “review the support available to self-employed people on the lowest incomes”.
ACAS WFH guidance
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service has guidance for employers and employees on working from home, and also runs a free helpline for anyone with questions or in need of advice, on 0300 123 1100.
**Programming note**
This is 2021’s last newsletter, as we prepare to take a festive break. Thank you for reading, season’s greetings, and see you in 2022!
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