The Government has announced a series of measures to support businesses for the period of disruption caused by Coronavirus (COVID-19).
We’re pleased to tell you that the systems are in place and the support schemes are now live for us to deliver business rates relief and grant funding to Southampton businesses.There’s important information below on how you can apply for grants.
Business Rates for Retail, Hospitality, Leisure and Nurseries
Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, and nurseries, will not have to pay business rates for the 2020-21 tax year. This reduction will be applied automatically to businesses’ bills by 1 April. If businesses have not received an amended bill by the 3rd April 2020 they should email business.rates@southampton.gov.uk.
Grant funding
- Small Business Grant Funding
The Government is providing additional funding to support small businesses that already pay little or no business rates because of small business rate relief (SBRR). This will provide a one-off grant of £10,000 to eligible businesses to help meet their ongoing business costs.
Businesses can find out more and apply here - Cash Grant for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure
Businesses in the retail, hospitality or leisure sector, will receive a cash grant of up to £25,000 per property. Businesses in these sectors with a rateable value of under £15,000 will receive a grant of £10,000. Businesses with a rateable value of between £15,001 and £51,000 will receive a grant of £25,000.
Businesses can find out more and apply here
Other business Government support schemes currently available include:
- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
- Statutory Sick Pay Rebate
- Time to Pay
- COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility
- VAT Deferral
- Income Tax Deferral for the Self-Employed
More about these national schemes can be found here
We have published further information for business here
What you can do to help
You have an important role to play in preventing the spread of the virus. The Government has issued the following guidance for employers and businesses during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
- encourage your employees to work at home, wherever possible
- if someone becomes unwell in the workplace with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature, they should be sent home and advised to follow the advice to stay at home
- remind your employees to wash their hands for 20 seconds, more often, and catch coughs and sneezes in tissues
- frequently clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that are touched regularly, using your standard cleaning products
- staff who follow advice to stay at home will be eligible for statutory sick pay (SSP) from the first day of their absence from work
- use your discretion as an employer concerning the need for medical evidence for certification for employees who are unwell. This will allow GPs to focus on their patients
- if you do require evidence, those with symptoms of Coronavirus can get an isolation note from 111.nhs.uk and those living with someone who has symptoms can get a note from 111.nhs.uk/isolation-note
- employees from defined vulnerable groups should be strongly advised and supported to stay at home and work from there if possible
- vulnerable people are those who are: pregnant, over 70, or under 70 with an underlying health condition (i.e. anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds)
Look after your staff
- You may need to provide some extra support to your staff during this time, especially if they are not used to working from home
- talk about how to stay in touch and how to accommodate everyone’s needs
- use the phone rather than emails to substitute for face-to-face meetings
- have the conversation – you may discover staff with previously unknown health conditions or caring responsibilities
- be vigilant – health issues can go unnoticed when staff are working away from the office stay in special contact with those living and working alone
- ask each other – “How are you feeling about working from home and what can we do to make it easier?”
Your staff may feel worried about coronavirus (COVID-19) and how it could impact them and they may find staying at home difficult or stressful. There are lots of things they can do to help their wellbeing.
Visit mind.org.uk/coronavirus for tips on looking after mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak.
You can also find more information about wellbeing at work, and sign up to our e-newsletter, on our website at southampton.gov.uk/wellbeingatwork
