During these unprecedented times it is important for small and medium enterprises to know that they are not alone, and there is support out there to help keep their businesses going. Here we aim to bring a summary of all the existing resources, as well as announced resources.
COVID-19 financial support for businesses
The Government has set out a package of targeted measures to support businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19. We are working with partners to support local businesses and to ensure that we come through the Coronavirus pandemic, we have a dedicated business support team to help.
There are many schemes available to provide support, if you are unsure what COVID-19 support you are eligible for you can use the business support finder on the GOV.UK website.
To go directly to the page, click here
Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG)
Government has announced a new grants for businesses who are impacted by the Local Restrictions put in place in response to the Pandemic. This includes the National Lockdown period and the Tiers in place before and after this.
Businesses instructed to close that are registered for business rates, will receive grants worth up to £3000 per month, dependant on the rateable value of their premises.
Leisure, Hospitality and Hotel / Bed and breakfast accommodation businesses that can remain open under the tier system but who are severely impacted as a result of the restrictions in place can also claim a grant worth up to £2100 per month, dependant on the rateable value of their premises.
Businesses who completed a local authority application form during the November national lockdown and qualified for a grant payment, will not need to make a new application, we will automatically consider further payments.
Where a business has had a change and are no longer eligible for the grant, they must report this to the Business Rates Team using [email protected]
You can find out more about the grant and make a claim using the link below.
Additional Restrictions Grant
Local Authorities are also being given funding, additional to the business rates grants above, to implement an Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG). These are discretionary grants that can be paid to businesses forced to close which do not have a business rates account and are therefore ineligible for the LRSG or those businesses that are not required to close but have been severely impacted.
Businesses which have previously applied under ARG will not need to make a further application and those who have received a previous ARG payment (excluding those who received the £3,000 payment made pre-Christmas) will receive a second payment equal to the amount received previously.
You can find out more about the grant and make an application using the link below.
Job Retention Scheme
On the 5 November the Chancellor announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme was being extended until the 30 April 2021. Find out if your business is eligible and how much you can claim to cover wages for employees on temporary leave or furlough due to COVID-19 using the link below.
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
This scheme provides grants for those experiencing reduced demand due to COVID-19 but are continuing to trade, or temporarily cannot trade. Find out more using the link below.
Find out more about the Self-employment Income Support Scheme
Business Bounce Back Loan
The Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) enables smaller businesses to access finance more quickly during the coronavirus outbreak. You can find out more by visiting the GOV.UK website.
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Schemes (CBILS and CLBILS)
These schemes support businesses with access to loans, overdrafts, invoice finance and asset finance of up to £5 million and for up to six years. Use the links below to find out more.
Statutory sick pay
You can get £95.85 per week Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you’re too ill to work. It’s paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks. You can find out more using the link below.
Support for exporters
Help is available from UK Export Finance (UKEF) for businesses facing disruption due to coronavirus (COVID-19) through an existing range of tried and tested products.
Growmysme programme
A range of EU funded local support including small match funded/consultancy grants. Find out more using the link below.
Deferral of VAT payment
On 24 September 2020, the Chancellor announced that businesses who deferred VAT due from 20 March to 30 June 2020 will now have the option to pay in smaller payments over a longer period. You can find out more using the link below.
Defer your self-assessment payment
Check what you need to do after 31 July 2020 if you chose to defer your second payment on account for the 2019 to 2020 tax year by using the link below.
Business rates relief
You can check if your retail, hospitality or leisure business or your nursery is eligible for business rates relief due to COVID-19 by using the links below.
Find out more about retail, hospitality or leisure business rates relief
Find out more about business rates relief for nurseries
If you need further advice or support you can contact a business advisor by –
- telephoning 01482 300 301
- emailing [email protected]
Business toolbox
Hull City Council has been working to offer support and advice to our city businesses to ensure that they can reopen confidently and in the safest manner possible, as part of this we have created a business toolbox with helpful information and posters that can be displayed in local businesses.
Access our business toolbox for coming out of lockdown
Preparation is vital for a smooth transition from lockdown across the UK. Hull City Council has been working to offer support and advice to our city businesses to ensure that they can reopen confidently and in the safest possible manner.
We have therefore produced a Business Toolkit to assist businesses in line with the latest government guidelines. These assets can be downloaded and displayed within your business to advice customers of their responsibilities in adhering to this guidance, as well as giving your customers confidence that you are complying with the governments advice.
Coronavirus daily statistics
Hull now has one of the highest coronavirus rates in England and our coronavirus cases and hospital admissions are at the highest level they have been during the pandemic.
The latest COVID-19 data for Hull is available using the link below.
