COVID-19: support for businesses – updated 25 March 2020
Five steps to take today to support your business
The Government’s Business Support Campaign is live, aiming to give clear, simple advice on the help and financial support which is available.
As part of this, five steps to take have been published which businesses can follow to find out about the help on offer during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Government support for businesses website update
The Government has updated its Business Support website providing a comprehensive and clear overview of the COVID-19 advice and financial help being offered to businesses and how it can be accessed.
It can be viewed here.
The Government is still working on the delivery of certain support measures and the website will continue to be updated as details become available.
A helpline for businesses with questions about COVID-19 support is also available Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm. A series of FAQs has also been published.
Updated guidance on further businesses to close
Guidance on the further businesses which must remain closed during the COVID-19 outbreak has been updated. Guidance has also been added on work carried out in people’s homes. The guidance is available here and includes a useful table of businesses and premises which can remain open and which must remain closed.
Employers who have people in their offices or onsite should ensure that employees are able to follow Public Health England guidelines including, where possible, maintaining a two-metre distance from others, and offering appropriate hand washing or hand sanitiser facilities.
Companies to receive a three-month extension period to file accounts during COVID-19.
Companies House has announced that businesses will be given an additional 3 months to file accounts to help companies avoid penalties as they deal with the impacts of COVID-19. Full guidance on applying for an extension can be found here.
Commercial insurance
Most commercial insurance policies are unlikely to cover pandemics like COVID-19. But businesses which have insurance covering government-ordered closure and pandemics or government-ordered closure and unspecified notifiable disease should be able to make a claim. Businesses are advised to check terms and conditions with their providers. Further information is available.
Protection from eviction for commercial tenants
Commercial tenants who cannot pay their rent because of COVID-19 will be protected from eviction. Further details are now available.
DIT support for UK businesses trading internationally
The advice and support for UK businesses that export or deliver goods and services abroad and have been impacted by the spread of COVID-19 has been updated.
Employers do not have to report gender pay gaps
Enforcement of the gender pay gap reporting deadlines are suspended for this reporting year (2019/20) due to COVID-19.
If you are concerned about being able to pay your tax due to COVID-19, call HMRC’S DEEDICATED HELPLINE ON 0800 0159 559.
Guidance to employers and business about COVID-19
Business Support Helpline 0300 456 3565
FREE ACAS Webinar ‘Coronavirus – an advisory webinar for employers’. Find out more
Read here for the latest public information and public health advice about COVID-19
Tell us about the impact on your business
Government call for ventilators and testing support
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is blessed with talent in the biomedical research, technology and manufacturing sector. Any companies that can support the Government call for help in providing ventilators should contact: gcfcovid19enquiries@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Companies can also support the Government increase testing for COVID-19 through the commercial supply of testing packages or separate elements of the testing package.
Any organisations that may be able to support should email covidtestingtriage@dhsc.gov.uk as soon as possible.