Coronavirus
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Oct- 2020 -19 October
Wales announces ‘firebreak’ lockdown
The Welsh government has announced a two-week “firebreak” national lockdown, which will force business closures across the country from 23 October at 6pm until Monday 9 November. According to BBC News, first minister Mark Drakeford said the “time-limited firebreak” will be “a short, sharp, shock to turn back the clock,…
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15 October
London and Essex set to move into Tier 2 restrictions
London and Essex will face tougher Tier 2 Covid-19 restrictions from Saturday (17 October), including a ban on the mixing of households, local MPs have been told. According to the BBC, health secretary Matt Hancock is set to update MPs on the latest measures in the Commons later today. Under…
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12 October
PM unveils three-tiered lockdown system
Prime minister Boris Johnson this afternoon announced a new three-tier lockdown system that will see some hospitality businesses in the North-West forced to close from Wednesday. Under the new system, different rules for regions will be classified as being on ‘medium’, ‘high’ or ‘very high’ alert depending on the rate…
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9 October
Gov to cover 66% of wages for firms forced to shut
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced that businesses forced to shut due to local restrictions will be eligible for a grant that pays two-thirds of staff salaries. The government will pay two-thirds, or 67%, of each employee’s salary, up to a maximum of £2,100 a month, if the business is forced…
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9 October
NAJ urges members to check furlough claim inaccuracies
The National Association of Jewellers is urging its members to check for furlough claim inaccuracies through the government’s Better Business Tax support service, due to businesses receiving a letter from HMRC. HMRC’s warning notified businesses of potential errors in the furlough scheme and reminded them the importance of claims being…
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7 October
Businesses must check furlough inaccuracies before HMRC deadline
Businesses using the furlough scheme have been urged to “thoroughly check” their claims for inaccuracies before HMRC’s cut-off date to avoid the risk of fines or prosecution. Accountancy firm Kilsby Williams issued the warning after HMRC sent letters to a growing number of businesses to inform them of potential errors…
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Sep- 2020 -28 September
£3bn tariff ahead for UK retailers and consumers, warns BRC
Supermarkets and their customers could face £3bn a year of tariffs on food and drink if a free trade deal is not agreed between the UK and the EU before 1st January 2020, The BRC has warned In its report the association said an average increase in tariffs of 20%…
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24 September
Chancellor unveils new Job Support Scheme
The chancellor has today announced a new Jobs Support Scheme that will see the government “directly support” the wages of those in part-time work. The scheme, which will run for six months starting this November, will see the government attempt to preserve “viable” jobs by subsidising the pay of employees…
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24 September
Chancellor set to unveil furlough replacement after Budget cancellation
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has cancelled this year’s Budget but is set to unveil new measures aimed at protecting employment and the UK economy in parliament later today (24 September). It is thought the new measures will replace the current furlough scheme, which is set to expire at the end of…
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22 September
Latest Covid-19 restrictions now legal requirements, PM says
Prime minister Boris Johnson has announced a series of new measures to curb the increase in coronavirus cases, including making Covid-secure rules for businesses a legal requirement. Retail and indoor hospitality staff will also be legally required to wear masks while working. The penalty for not wearing a mask or…
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