COVID-19 Guidance for businesses
We are entering unchartered territory with the COVID-19 virus. We understand that many of you are worried and might be confused about what help is available, how you access it and how you should conduct your day-to-day business going forward. The Chancellor has set out a package of measures to support businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19.
We are experiencing a high volume of calls re Business Rate Grants. Whilst this continues, please email questions to: Hart.businessrates@secure.capita.co.uk
There are also high numbers accessing our online application forms which is causing technical issues for some.
Grant Funding Schemes- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
This includes:
- Small Business Grant Funding
The Government is providing additional funding for Local Authorities to support small businesses that already pay little or no business rates because of small business rate relief (SBRR), rural rate relief (RRR) and tapered relief. A grant of £10,000 is available for all business as above with a rateable value up to and including £15,000 as of 11 March 2020. This one-off grant of £10,000 is to help businesses meet their ongoing business costs.
To receive the grant, please complete the small business online application form
- Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Funding
Businesses in these sectors with a rateable value of up to and including £15,000, can apply for a grant of £10,000. For businesses in these sectors with a rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000, a grant of £25,000 is available. To receive the grant, please complete the retail, hospitality and leisure online application form.
Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors in England will not have to pay business rates for the 2020-21 tax year. Find out more
- Business Rates Holiday for Nurseries
England only. Nurseries in England do not have to pay business rates for the 2020-2021 tax year. Find out more
- Self-employment Income Support Scheme
The Self-employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will support self-employed individuals (including members of partnerships) whose income has been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Find out more
- Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
UK-wide. This scheme will help businesses affected by coronavirus to access bank lending and overdrafts if they need to. For loans up to £5 million, the Government is providing a guarantee of 80% for each loan. Find out more
- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
UK-wide. Under the coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, all UK employers with a PAYE scheme will be able to access support to continue paying part of their employees' salary for those that would otherwise have been laid off during this crisis. Find out more
- Statutory Sick Pay Rebate
UK-wide. The Government will bring forward legislation to allow small and medium-sized businesses to reclaim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) paid for staff sickness absence due to coronavirus. Find out more
- Support for Businesses Paying Tax
UK-wide. All businesses and self employed people in financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities, may be eligible to receive support with their tax affairs through HMRC's Time to Pay service. Find out more
- VAT Deferral
UK-Wide. We will support businesses by deferring Valued Added Tax (VAT) payments for 3 months. Find out more
- Income Tax Deferral for the Self-Employed
UK-Wide. If you are self-employed, Income Tax payments due in July 2020 under the Self-Assessment system will be deferred to January 2021. Find out more
- Support for Businesses Paying Tax
UK-Wide. All businesses and self- employed people in financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities, may be eligible to receive support with their tax affairs through HMRC's Time To Pay service. Find out more
- Covid-19 Corporate Financing Facility
UK-Wide. The new Covid-19 Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF) means that the Bank of England will buy short-term debt from larger companies. Find out more
- Deferral of Self-Assessment payment
UK-wide. The Self-Assessment payment on account, this is ordinarily due to be paid to HMRC by 31 July 2020 may now be deferred until January 2021. Find out more
- Frequently asked questions
Here you can find a full list of FAQs provided by GOV.UK.
- Arts Council England
£160 million of emergency funding available for those organisations and individuals. Find out more
There are a number of organisations who provide help and information about different grants or funding schemes that are out there to help your business, as well as providing other general advice for businesses.
GOV.UK
The GOV.UK website provides a range of information on grants, finance and loans, and business support such as mentoring, consultancy and funding for small and medium-sized businesses and start-ups.
British Business Bank
The British Business Bank is 100% Government owned, but independently managed, and brings expertise and Government money to the smaller business finance markets. They do not lend or invest directly. Instead, they work with over 80 partners such as banks, leasing companies and web-based platforms to make finance markets work better for small businesses in the UK.
Enterprise First
Enterprise First provide businesses help with writing a business plan, securing funding and scaling, as well as general advice. The services they offer include:
- A business toolkit which offers a host of documents that are free for you to use.
- Help to apply for funding by working with Virgin Start Up Loans.
- Providing pre and post start support to businesses that have plans for growth, as a delivery partner for the Start and Grow programme.
- Free advice and mentoring sessions in Hampshire.
- Help to find a new office or workspace in your local area.
Businesses located in Hart can take advantage of the Hart Business Support Service funded by Hart District Council.
Enterprise M3 Funding Escalator
The Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership has announced a new £5.5 million funding scheme, aimed at businesses in the early stages who have the potential of high growth and are likely to provide jobs in the area. They aim to drive the economic growth of the area by working with businesses, key delivery partners and central government.
J4B Grants
J4B Grants provide information on all the latest European grants, UK Government grants and other sources of funding to help start and grow your business.
Bright Ideas Fund
Bright Ideas Fund supports new community business ideas through the start up and planning stages with tailored business support, to the implementation stage with grants of up to £15,000.
Start Up Loans
A Start Up Loan is a government-backed personal loan available to individuals looking to start or grow a business in the UK. In addition to finance, successful applicants receive 12 months of free mentoring and exclusive business offers to help them succeed.
Startups
Startups is the UK’s leading independent, online resource for anyone starting or growing a business.
Fredericks Foundation
Fredericks Foundation is open to anyone who has a viable business proposition but cannot obtain mainstream finance. Start-ups can attain a maximum of £15,000. For established businesses with a financial track record of at least three years, the maximum loan is £35,000.
GRANTfinder
GRANTfinder is Europe’s leading provider of grants and policy information and has been providing support to UK organisations since 1985. It is a user-friendly, accurate, and professional funding tool, which has helped its users to facilitate the securing of millions of pounds’ worth of support.
Grants Online
With nearly 5,000 funding schemes available within the UK, there's a lot of information to keep on top of. Grants Online is trusted by hundreds of organisations to keep them up to date with the latest funding opportunities. By providing up to date grant funding information, alerts and newsletters, they help businesses maximise funding potential.
