Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward.<\/p>\n
All remaining lockdown restrictions in England<\/a> will be lifted by 19 July after delaying it last month, according to the Health Secretary. Britain\u2019s successful vaccine rollout means that nine out of 10 adults in the UK now have antibodies against COVID-19.<\/p>\n Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own road maps out of lockdown.<\/p>\n The UK\u2019s first testing megalab, the Rosalind Franklin Laboratory<\/a> in Royal Leamington Spa, has opened and will serve as one of the centrepieces of UK\u2019s future test and trace infrastructure.<\/p>\n It will be part of the NHS Test and Trace network and will use cutting-edge technology to process more tests and adopt the new genotype assay testing that can quickly identify variants and new mutations.<\/p>\n British business confidence<\/a> has soared to a 16-year peak on easing Covid restrictions, according to a survey by BDO. Its business optimism indicator jumped to 112.45 points in June\u2013 the highest level since 2005 and the fifth consecutive monthly gain.<\/p>\n Traders moving agri-food from Great Britain to Northern Ireland will benefit from increased government support until the end of 2023 through the Movement Assistance Scheme<\/a>. Under this scheme, certain certification costs will be covered when moving agri-food products.<\/p>\n Aside from being extended to the end of December 2023, it will also be expanded to cover costs related to:<\/p>\n Bus operators will benefit from \u00a3226.5 million in government funding<\/a> to ensure they continue to run vital services as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. The funding will run from September 2021 to April 2022 and will support operators across England.<\/p>\n The new UK-wide Subsidy Control Bill<\/a> will provide quicker and more flexible support to UK businesses following Brexit. Previously, when the UK was a member of the EU, it followed the EU\u2019s State aid regime which governed the awarding of grants, loans, and guarantees.<\/p>\n This is a lengthy bureaucratic process of being notified to and approved by the European Commission in advance. This delays these funds from being accessed by businesses in good time. However, with the new UK system, subsidies are permitted if they follow UK-wide principles.<\/p>\n These principles will allow authorities to award subsidies where they\u2019re needed without so much red tape.<\/p>\n The government\u2019s COVID Local Support Grant<\/a> has been extended until September, bringing it in line with the end date for furlough and other COVID-related support. The funding is ring-fenced so that 80% is used to support families with bills for food, key utilities and other essentials. Across England, the total new funding is \u00a3160 million.<\/p>\n Employers of all sizes in England can now apply for additional funding to help them take on new apprentices. The boost to the apprenticeship incentive scheme<\/a> has been available to claim from 1 June. Businesses can apply to claim \u00a33000 for each new apprentice hired as a new employee from 1 April until 30 September.<\/p>\n Under the debt respite scheme called Breathing Space<\/a>, those facing financial difficulties will be given 60 days to get their finances back on track, with most interest and penalty charges frozen, and enforcement action halted.<\/p>\n Professional debt advice will also be provided. Recognising the link between debt problems and mental health issues, these protections will be available for those in mental health crisis treatment for the full duration of their crisis treatment plus another 30 days.<\/p>\n Please get in touch with us if you need any help with your cashflow. We are here to help.<\/p>\n The new \u00a3150 million \u2018Help to Build\u2019 scheme<\/a> will make it easier and more affordable for people to build their own homes. New homes can be made to order or built from scratch, and will benefit small building firms as part of the government\u2019s Plan for Jobs.<\/p>\n Also, a \u00a32.1 million additional funding has been announced to help communities decide where they want new homes, shops, and offices to be built and what they should look like.<\/p>\n The government has launched a new Recovery Loan Scheme<\/a> to help companies access loans of \u00a325,000 up to a maximum of \u00a310 million. The loans will include 80% government guarantee and interest rate cap of 14.99%.<\/p>\n This is in addition to the extended furlough until 30 September and the New Restart Grants scheme.<\/p>\n The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been extended until 30 September 2021. It will remain unchanged until the end of June, and a phased reduction in the level of funding will be implemented from 1 July 2021.<\/p>\n Currently, employers can claim grants equal to 80% of a furloughed employee\u2019s reference pay. Grants for each worker are capped at \u00a32,500 per month.<\/p>\n For claims starting 1 July 2021, the grant will be reduced to 70% of the reference salary and capped at \u00a32,187.50 per month. It will be further reduced to 60% of the reference salary with a cap of \u00a31,875 starting 1 August 2021.<\/p>\n You can read more about it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n A \u00a320 million SME Brexit Support Fund has been announced to help businesses adjust to new customs, rules of origin, and VAT rules when trading with the EU.<\/p>\n Traders will be able to apply for a grant of up to \u00a32,000 to pay for practical support for importing and exporting. This fund will help businesses prepare for the implementation of import controls that will take effect from April and July.<\/p>\n More details can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n More information can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Running a business has its own ups and downs. Sometimes, ideas fail and things go out of hand, leading to a crisis within the business. In this Forbes article<\/a>, members of the Young Entrepreneur Council share eight tips to manage company crises calmly and competently.<\/p>\n Need more focused business advice? Get in touch with us today and let us talk about your specific situation and how we can help you.<\/p>\n Contact us if you have any questions or want to discuss the next steps for your business.<\/p>\n Contact us<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"UK\u2019s First Megalab Opens to Bolster Fight Against COVID-19<\/h3>\n
UK Business Confidence Rises to 16-year High<\/h3>\n
Government to Boost Support for Northern Ireland Agri-Food Traders<\/h3>\n
\n
\u00a3226 Million Support for Bus Services<\/h3>\n
New Subsidy Scheme to Support UK Jobs and Businesses<\/h3>\n
COVID Local Support Grant Extended<\/h3>\n
Cash Boost For Apprentices Launched<\/h3>\n
Debt Respite Scheme \u2018Breathing Space\u2019<\/h3>\n
Over \u00a3150 Million Funding for New \u2018Help to Build\u2019 Scheme<\/h3>\n
Recovery Loan Scheme Launched<\/h3>\n
Job Retention Scheme Extended Until End of September<\/h3>\n
SME Brexit Support Fund Launched<\/h3>\n
Kickstart Scheme grant<\/h3>\n
\n
Eight Tips to Calmly Handle Company Crises<\/h3>\n
\n
Get in touch<\/h3>\n