Updates:
For updated Government guidance for employers and businesses on COVID-19 please click here.
QUICK LINKS
- Operating safely through COVID-19
- General Information
- Financial support for businesses
- Kickstart Scheme
- How to run your business safely
- Export and Import
- Home working during the COVID-19 crisis
- How companies are navigating COVID-19
General Information
COVID-19 industry guidance
The full range of government guidance for businessess can be found here
NHS track and trace - download the app
Click here for an overview of the NHS Test and Trace service, including what happens if you test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) or have had close contact with someone who has tested positive.
Business Support Packages
- Recovery loan scheme
- Job retention scheme
- Financial support for businesses during COVID-19
- Reopen your business safely
- Apply for funding for job placements from the Kickstart Scheme
- Coronavirus support for business from outside government
- Additional government resources to supoprt your business during COVID-19 disruptions
- Support for businesses trading internationally
Financial Support for Businesses
Paying your employees
The Coronavirus Job Retention scheme comes to an end on 30 September 2021. Accordingly, the last day for which employers will be able to claim a grant under the scheme is 30 September. Final claims for September must be submitted by Thursday 14 October.
Employers who currently have employees on full or flexible furlough are likely to be facing one of three main scenarios when the Extended CJRS comes to an end:
- they can ask employees to resume work on the same terms and conditions that they were on prior to being put on furlough;
- they can ask employees to resume work, but with some changes to terms and conditions or working arrangements (provided they follow the appropriate processes to implement such changes); or
- they may need to implement redundancies.
Make UK have prepared two new template letters for employers to use to end full or flexible furlough:
- Ending full or flexible furlough under the Extended CJRS – this template letter is suitable for use where employees will return to their pre-furlough terms, or where you are proposing to implement changes to terms or working arrangements, for example in relation to home or hybrid working, pay, or hours of work.
- Ending full or flexible furlough under the Extended CJRS where the employee is at risk of redundancy – this letter is suitable for use where furloughed employees are currently being consulted on proposed redundancies and explains how the ending of the Extended CJRS could affect them.
You can download these letters for free by visiting this webpage.
Paying sick pay
The Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme will repay employers the Statutory Sick Pay paid to current or former employees.
Paying Tax
The VAT deferral new payment scheme has now closed.
Kickstart scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create new 6-month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment.
This is part of the government’s Plan for Jobs and aims to create hundreds and thousands of new, fully funded jobs across England, Scotland and Wales.
Funding will cover for each job placement:
- 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week
- the associated employer National Insurance contributions
- employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions
There will also be extra funding to support young people to build their experience and help them move into sustained employment after they have completed their Kickstart Scheme funded job.
You can apply as an individual company or, contact Composites UK and join our group through the Kickstart Gateway scheme
How to run your business safely
The links below will give you sufficient information and guidance on how to reopen and maintain your business operations safely during COVID-19. Most information is specific to the UK composites sector.
- Operating safely through COVID-19
- How to carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment
- Cleaning your workplace safely
- NHS Track and Trace in the workplace
- Freedom Day - A Manufacturer's Guide
Export and Import
DIT can advise on:
- smooth clearance of products with customs authorities
- intellectual property (IP) and other issues with business continuity
- export plans and exploring market opportunities
- finding new routes to markets
- dealing with agents and distributors
- finding alternative suppliers
- selling online and updating your digital (online) presence
You can access DIT support by:
- contacting your international trade adviser where you have an existing relationship
- finding your local trade office in the UK to discuss specific trade issues
For UK businesses with overseas presence, or operating projects in other countries, our worldwide DIT offices can provide information on trade issues specific to that region or country.
DIT provides cross-border e-commerce support, including connecting businesses to e-commerce advisers for tailored one-to-one advice. Contact e-exporting@trade.gov.uk for more information.
UK Export Finance can help businesses facing disruption due to coronavirus (COVID-19) with finance and insurance support for exporters.
