Support for Business during the Covid-19 pandemic ​

• Business rates - There will be a one-year business rates holiday for all businesses in England in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector. This change will apply automatically.

• £25,000 cash grants for retail, hospitality and leisure - Businesses must have a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000. Local authorities will write to businesses that meet the criteria.

• £10,000 grant for the smallest businesses - Any businesses currently eligible for Small Business Rate Relief (SBBR) or Rural Rate Relief will qualify. Apply for the emergency funding direct from their local Council.

• Self-employed Income Support - The Government is to pay self-employed people across the UK a taxable grant worth 80% of their average monthly profit. This will be calculated from up to three years of tax filings (if available), and be capped at £2,500 per month. HMRC will contact eligible taxpayers and tell them how to apply. This will not be available until June 2020.

• Tax and VAT bills delayed - Payment of key taxes will be automatically deferred to provide businesses with a further potential source of working capital. You may need to cancel direct debit instructions with your bank if direct debits have been set up to pay taxes.

• HMRC Time to Pay service - Struggling businesses and self-employed people can ask HMRC for more time to settle tax bills. Decisions will be made case by case. Call the HMRC dedicated helpline on 0800 0159 559.

• Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme - Individual businesses will be able to apply for loans up to a maximum of £5 million. The Government will pay the interest for 12 months and will guarantee 80% of the loan. Any company with a turnover of up to £45 million can apply.

• Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – The Government will cover 80% of the salaries of workers who remain on payroll but are temporarily not working during the coronavirus outbreak, up to a total of £2,500 a month. Employers will submit claims via an online portal.

• Statutory sick pay - Any business with fewer than 250 employees will have the cost of providing 14 days of statutory sick pay (per employee) refunded by the government in full. It will also apply from day one rather than the usual day four of illness — even if individuals have no symptoms.

• Universal Credit - Self-employed workers can claim income support if they need to self-isolate.

• Hardship fund - A £500 million hardship fund is to be made available through local authorities.

For Isle of Wight Businesses

• Pay it Forward Crowdfunder and match-funding by Solent LEP - If you are a micro or small business you could access to up to £2,000 in match funding through the Solent LEP’s Crowdfunder’s Pay it Forward scheme.

For further information:

www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19

solentlep.org.uk/crowdfunding-programme-pay-it-forward