HLAS

The guidance on what to do if you or someone you employ is contacted by NHS Test and Trace, including self-isolation and financial support has been updated to include a section on when to contact your local health protection team.   The employer’s guidance covers sector-specific recommendations on reducing the risk of transmission, the required risk assessments employers should undertake, what to do if an employee develops symptoms and ordering a test and alerting close contacts if the test is positive, self-isolation and contacting local health protection teams. See: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-workplace-guidance?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_source=bf653fe6-374f-44f8-af9a-77eb68b4e638&utm_content=daily Register to order coronavirus tests for your employees – England [...]

If you're an employer looking to create job placements for young people, you can apply for funding as part of the Kickstart Scheme. The scheme has changed, and you no longer need a minimum of 30 job placements to apply directly for a grant. You can now apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant by either: applying online yourself. getting help from a Kickstart gateway who is already working with the Kickstart Scheme. There is a new guide for employers and this can be seen here:  https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/958223/kickstart-scheme-employer-guide.pdf

The deadline for applications for the Christmas Support Payment has been extended to 28 February 2021. The Christmas Support Payment for wet-led pubs supports pubs that predominantly serve alcohol rather than provide food and had been severely impacted over the festive season due to temporary local restrictions. Eligible businesses may be entitled to a one-off cash grant of £1,000 from their local council in areas that were under Tier 2 or Tier 3 local restrictions. Local councils will use their discretion to identify the right businesses to receive this funding. See: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-youre-eligible-for-the-christmas-support-payment-for-wet-led-pubs?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_source=5fb0d557-15fd-4ecc-808f-3cdb5891917c&utm_content=daily

The lists of and information about approved suppliers of private testing kits for coronavirus (COVID-19) has been updated. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is aware of these private sector (non-NHS) providers who may be able to conduct tests for the presence of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Providers are listed in alphabetical order. They have declared that they meet the government’s minimum standards for providers of Test to Release for international travel or minimum standards for private sector providers of general COVID-19 testing (the Declaration). See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/list-of-private-providers-of-coronavirus-testing/list-of-private-providers-of-coronavirus-testing What to do if you’re employed and cannot work – guidance for employees [...]

Many film and television productions have been paused during the pandemic due to a lack of insurance against Coronavirus-related losses, such as filming delays when cast or crew members are ill. The £500 million Film and TV Production Restart Scheme, launched in October 2020, means productions are protected against these delays, giving them the confidence to resume filming. So far, more than 160 productions from across the UK have been approved by the scheme, supporting over £680 million of economic activity and 19,460 direct jobs on productions – from actors and directors, to hairstylists, runners and set designers. New film, [...]

Below is our weekly roundup of changes to government support information for businesses. Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). The CJRS has been extended until 30 April 2021. Claims for furlough days in January 2021 must be made by 15 February 2021. You can no longer submit claims for claim periods ending on or before 31 October 2020. HMRC has updated its examples to help calculate employee’s wages, National Insurance contributions and pension contributions if you are claiming through the CJRS. A new example has been added for calculating wages for different types of pension scheme. See:  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/find-examples-to-help-you-work-out-80-of-your-employees-wages?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_source=05cd36c7-7e90-4622-ba90-f96aa529be12&utm_content=daily The guidance for [...]

It is well over a month since the implementation of a full border between the UK and the EU. Because of the pandemic, trade has been unusually down but what we can say is that there is a huge amount of additional red tape at the borders. This has particularly affected smaller businesses. The French authorities in Calais are now enforcing customs and single market rules more strictly and there have already been problems with fish, meat and cheese exports. The amount of red tape has an impact on smaller businesses attitude to trade with the EU and vice versa. [...]

Today the Government announced a new contract secured with Derby-based manufacturer for validated lateral flow antigen tests, ensuring supply for UK over coming months. Also this weekend the Government started offering all English businesses with over 50 employees’ workplace Covid testing. To register to order coronavirus tests for your employees see: https://www.gov.uk/get-workplace-coronavirus-tests We can now see a picture of the “New Normal” post initial vaccination emerging, with faster and more often testing for the workplace, when travelling and possibly attending events, voluntary social distancing and regular vaccinations against the virus and its new strains.  In the meantime let us have [...]

There has been a lot of speculation on what will be in Rishi Sunak’s second Budget in early March and whether there is any tax planning that you should consider before then. The government will have to start paying down the massive £2 trillion of borrowings at some stage. Increasing tax rates would send the wrong message when the government is trying to stimulate economic recovery. What the Chancellor is more likely to do is abolish or restrict some of the generous tax reliefs that we have got used to taking advantage of. That would have the effect of raising [...]

One area where the Chancellor could raise a substantial amount of tax would be to restrict higher rate tax relief on pension contributions. There have been recent consultations with the pensions industry and it has been suggested that the government top up might be increased to 30% but with no further tax relief. That would continue to encourage people to save for their own pension but the better off would get less tax relief.  The pension rules continue to be complex and this may be announced as a simplification measure. If you have spare cash that you are considering investing [...]