HLAS

There is updated advice for Worker, Temporary Worker and Student sponsors in the UK who are sponsoring those affected by coronavirus (COVID-19). Contents If your student or employee is absent If you’re sponsoring a student who is distance learning If you have issued a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) and the sponsored employee or student has not yet applied for a visa If you’re sponsoring a student who’s waiting for their permission as a Student or Child Student application to be decided If you’re sponsoring employees who are working from home If you’re [...]

The list of critical workers (key workers) and vulnerable children and young people who can access full-time education provision in the case of future restrictions on education during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has been updated at 5th January. Critical workers are defined as Parents whose work is critical to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and EU transition response including those who work in health and social care and in other key sectors outlined in the following sections. Children with at least one parent or carer who is a critical worker can go to school or college if required: Health and social care; Education [...]

Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are to receive a one-off grant worth up to £9,000, the Chancellor announced on 5th January. The Chancellor announced one-off top up grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses worth up to £9,000 per property to help businesses through to the Spring. In addition there is a £594 million discretionary fund also made available to support other impacted businesses. The grants will be provided on a per-property basis to support businesses through the latest restrictions, and is expected to benefit over 600,000 business properties, worth £4 billion in total across all nations of [...]

The UK is in national lockdown and like the first lockdown in March, we cannot leave our homes except for certain reasons such as medical, food, exercise and for those who cannot work from home. The rules for can be seen here: England: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home?utm_source=8f43e68a-5e0b-44b9-a5db-9e5b5a83d680&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=daily Scotland: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/ Wales: Alert level 4 | GOV.WALES Northern Ireland: Coronavirus (COVID-19) regulations guidance: what the restrictions mean for you | nidirect All we can do is hope the vaccine is rolled out efficiently to those most vulnerable and that this new lockdown slows the spread of the virus down. In the meantime we will continue [...]

We have to admit that last year we did not predict the Pandemic and the devastation we have endured. We did predict Brexit disruption, and this looks like it will be the case until systems are in place for as “smooth as possible” travel and trade. There will be "bumpy moments" for UK businesses and travellers as they get to grips with new EU rules, stated Michael Gove at the end of last year. The nature of the UK’s new relationship with the EU - outside the Single Market and Customs Union - means that there are practical and procedural [...]

Clearly there will be short term actions on EU trade for some. However we encourage all clients to consider taking time to prepare a 2021 Strategic plan. “A sailor without a destination will never get a favourable wind” It is easier to get to your destination with a plan. We all know this simple truth. If you are driving from A to B it helps to know where A is and the directions you need to take. If you have a vision of what you want your business to look like when it is “complete” then you are in a [...]