Business support - Coronavirus update
COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF)
Our COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) is still available to support local businesses with their business rate payments.
We have designed a relief scheme that aims to support as many local businesses as possible. The scheme is based on the following principles:
- It will not be awarding relief to businesses who for the same period of the relief would have been eligible for the Extended Retail Discount (covering Retail, Hospitality and Leisure) or the Nursery Discount
- Relief will only be awarded for occupied premises (other than premises closed temporarily due to government advice on COVID-19)
We will be adding the relief to the business rates accounts of those businesses who we believe are eligible. This will be taking place during September and businesses will be notified of their award over the coming weeks.
We will keep the application form available until the end of September in case you believe your business is eligible to apply but have not been awarded the relief
Advice and support
Self-employed and recently started businesses
We aim to provide support to the self-employed sector and businesses who have recently commenced trading. If you fall into either of these categories, please email Warrington&Co where our dedicated Business Support team will provide advice and further guidance.
Advice for employers and business owners
We're working with our partners to ensure that local businesses are given the support and advice they need at this time. For all the latest employer and business information and guidance, please visit GOV.UK.
Supporting your employees
People who follow advice to stay at home, and who cannot work as a result, are eligible for statutory sick pay (SSP), even if they're not ill themselves. As an employer, you're expected to use your discretion and respect the medical need to self-isolate in making decisions about sick pay.
You can support staff who are not eligible to receive sick pay by letting them know that they can claim Universal Credit and or contributory Employment and Support Allowance.
For more information about coronavirus, sick pay and benefits, please visit the Universal Credit website.
Statutory sick pay refunds
For businesses with fewer than 250 employees, the cost of providing 14 days of statutory sick pay per employee will be refunded in full by the government. In doing so, the government will provide two million businesses with up to £2 billion to cover the costs of large-scale sick leave.
Businesses trading internationally
Advice and support is available for UK businesses that export or deliver goods and services abroad.
This includes:
- Department for International Trade (DIT) support for UK business trading internationally
- Financial support for business trading internationally
British businesses that may face disruption due to the spread of coronavirus can contact DIT's dedicated business support team.
Paying tax
A new HMRC helpline has been launched to help businesses concerned about paying their tax due to COVID-19.
If you run a business or are self-employed and have tax concerns, you can call 0800 0159 559 for help and advice.