HLAS

Guidance to help local authorities and partners to deliver activities supported through the Welcome Back Fund. This funding builds on the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund announced in May 2020. The Welcome Back Fund is providing councils across England a share of £56 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), to support the safe return to high streets and help build back better, from the pandemic. This funding builds on the £50 million Reopening High Street Safely Fund (RHSSF) allocated to councils in 2020 and forms part of the wider support government is providing to communities and businesses. This [...]

The guidance for employers carrying out right to work checks during the coronavirus pandemic has been updated as the temporary adjustments introduced because of coronavirus end on 16 May 2021. The following temporary changes were made on 30 March 2020 and remain in place until 16 May 2021. checks can currently be carried out over video calls job applicants and existing workers can send scanned documents or a photo of documents for checks using email or a mobile app, rather than sending originals employers should use the Employer Checking Service if a prospective or existing employee cannot provide any of the accepted [...]

The lists of, and information about, approved suppliers of private testing kits for coronavirus (COVID-19) has been updated. See: Private providers of coronavirus testing - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Providers of day 2 and day 8 coronavirus testing for international arrivals Information on the 2 tests you must book, pay for and take, during your mandatory 10-day quarantine period after arriving in England, including how to book. See: Providers of day 2 and day 8 coronavirus testing for international arrivals - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The government has provided businesses with a notice to display to show you have made your workplace COVID-secure. See: Staying COVID-19 Secure notice (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) A YouTube video about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Job Retention Scheme and a webinar for Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) – fourth grant, have been added to the government guidance. See: Help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Download a template if you're claiming for 100 or more employees through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Complete a template with the details of the employees you're claiming for and upload this when you claim (for claims on or after 1 July 2020). Templates are [...]

Paying back VAT deferred due to coronavirus Information has been added on penalties or interest that may be charged if you do not pay in full, or make an arrangement to pay, and how you may still be able to avoid these charges. The webpage below details how to pay VAT payments deferred between 20 March and 30 June 2020. You can pay now or join the VAT deferral new payment scheme. If you deferred VAT payments due between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2020 you can: pay the deferred VAT in full now join the VAT deferral new [...]

April claims Employers can now submit CJRS claims for periods in April. These must be made by Friday 14 May. You can claim before, during or after you process your payroll. If you can, it’s best to make a claim once you are sure of the exact number of hours your employees will work so you do not have to amend your claim later. If you haven’t submitted your claim for March, but believe that you have a reasonable excuse for missing the 14 April deadline, check if you can make a late claim by searching 'claim for wages' on [...]

EU Parliament committee backs Brexit trade deal The European Union Parliament committees have backed the new Brexit trade deal between the 27-nation bloc and the UK pushing it onward to the full legislature for a final vote expected later this month. Northern Ireland The news in recent weeks has been dominated by the Northern Ireland (NI) border discussions. Last month a meeting of the EU-UK body overseeing the NI Brexit arrangements and aimed at resolving issues with the Irish sea border has had mixed reactions amongst NI politicians. No change was reported in extending the request by the UK to [...]

This government has introduced a mortgage guarantee scheme. The scheme is open to new 95% mortgages until 31 December 2022, with participating lenders offering 95% mortgages under the government guarantee from 19 April 2021. The idea is to support a new generation in realising home ownership. The scheme will increase the availability of 95% Loan-to-value mortgage products, enabling more households to access mortgages without the need for large deposits. See:  The mortgage guarantee scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

As the lockdown gradually eases, the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicators for the UK economy and society show some positive news about the reopening of the economy. Estimates for UK seated diner reservations on 12 April 2021 were at 79% of their level seen on the equivalent Monday of 2019. This is the first time the level has exceeded 2% since before the announcement of the latest lockdown in England on 4 January 2021 and coincides with the easing of hospitality restrictions in England on 12 April 2021. Total UK online job adverts on 9 April 2021 equalled [...]