This page will assist employers and businesses through the COVID-19 impact, providing advice on business support, access to finance and other uesful information.

     

Guidance for employees, employers and businesses

This guidance will assist employers, businesses and their staff in addressing coronavirus. The page will be regularly updated in line with the changing situation. The guidance will assist employers and businesses in providing advice to their staff on COVID-19, as well as providing details of support available to businesses.

Find out more on GOV.UK website

   

Working safely during coronavirus

Updated 6 January 2021

Guidance about how to make workplace COVID-secure. Updated information covering national restrictions in England from 6 January.

Find out more on GOV.UK website

  

Claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

Updated 29 November 2020

If you're self-employed or a member of a partnership and have been impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) you may be eligible to claim the grant. 

You must make your claim on or before 29 January 2021.

To make a claim for the third grant your business must have been impacted by coronavirus on or after 1 November 2020.

You can make a claim for the third grant if you’re eligible, even if you did not make a claim for the first or second.

Find out more on GOV.UK website

    

NHS Test and Trace in the workplace

Updated 11 January 2021

It’s critical that employers take steps to keep workers and visitors safe. By following the sector-specific guidance, employers can reduce the risk of co-workers having to self-isolate if a member of staff tests positive for COVID-19.

Working from home, where possible, is essential to limiting contacts between households. It’s recommended that people continue to work from home, unless it’s not reasonably possible to do so.

If you need to leave your home to carry out your usual work duties you can do so. If necessary, you can also travel for work purposes and stay away from home.

It is vital that employers play their part by:

• making their workplaces as safe as possible (where working from home is not possible)
• supporting their workers when in self-isolation

It is a legal requirement for employers to not knowingly allow an employee who has been told to self-isolate to come into work or work anywhere other than their own home for the duration of their self-isolation period. Failure to do so could result in a fine starting from £1,000.

Find out more on GOV.UK website

     

Providing apprenticeships during the coronavirus outbreak

Updated 26 November 2020

Guidance for training providers, employers, assessment organisations and apprentices in response to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19). This guidance has been updated in line with the national restrictions. 

Find out more on GOV.UK website

    

Coronavirus outbreak business communications toolkit

In the event that your business is affected by COVID-19, good communications will go a long way to support your staff, reassure customers and neighbours, and protect your reputation. This toolkit will help your business take the right steps to recovery. It complements the support that your local public health team will give you on operational matters.

View the coronvirus outbreak toolkit   

    

Better Business for All (BBfA) partnership Covid-19 Toolkits

See the following toolkits to help guide you to re-open your business and work safely:

• Considerations for restarting your business safely toolkit    
• Re-opening after a closure toolkit
• Risk Assesssment Toolkit
• Outbreak toolkit

   

Plymouth's COVID-19 Local Outbreak Management Plan Summary

The plan sets out how partner organisations across the city aim to work together to protect residents and support schools, care homes and businesses.

View the Outbreak Management Plan toolkit

  

Got symptoms? Get Tested

We've put together a simple graphic that you can share within your organisation and on social networks on COVID-19 symptoms and what to do.

View the graphic 

    

Social distancing in the workplace 

The government, in consultation with industry, has produced guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as possible.

The guidance provides a practical framework for employers to think about what they need to do to continue or restart operations – in a safe manner and in support to workers’ health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These 8 guides cover a range of different types of work which can be read on the below link.

Find out more on the Invest Plymouth page

    

Access free support from experts and help your business recover from the impact of Coronavirus

The Recovery Advice for Business scheme, supported by the government and hosted on the Enterprise Nation website, gives small firms access to free, one-to-one advice with an expert adviser to help them through the coronavirus pandemic and to prepare for long-term recovery. Thousands of expert professional and business services advisers are on hand to offer free advice, until 31 December. Small and medium sized businesses can sign up, take the diagnostic tool and access support. Advice will focus on key areas:

• accounting and finance
• people and building a team
• planning, strategy and pivoting
• marketing, PR and social media
• technology and digital tools

Find out more on EnterpriseNation website

  

COVID-19 Workplace Risk Assessment Template

HSENI have produced an example risk assessment for businesses when carrying out a risk assessment for COVID-19.

You can download the template from their website via the link below.

Find out more on HSENI website.

          

Support from Business Representative Organisations and Trade Associations

The Government is working closely with Business Representative Organisations and Trade Associations to support the national response to coronavirus, including ensuring messages from Government are heard by all businesses and that business voices are heard by Government. Via the below website is a list of organisations you can speak with to get advice. Many of these websites also include sector specific guidance and Q&A.

Find out more on Business Support website

         

HMRC Business Support Helpline – 0800 998 1098

HMRC have opened a dedicated helpline for businesses and the self-employed to answer queries or concerns regarding tax payments and finding solutions including:

• agreeing an instalment arrangement
• suspending debt collection proceedings
• cancelling penalties and interest where you have administrative difficulties contacting or paying HMRC immediately

In addition to the helpline there is also a webchat service that is available. Both are open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

      

Coronavirus WhatsApp Information Service

The Govt has started a Whatsapp information service get provide official, trustworthy and timely information and advice about coronavirus out to as many people as possible. It will provide information on topics such as coronavirus prevention and symptoms, the latest number of cases in the UK, advice on staying at home, travel advice and myth busting via a chatbot.

To use this free service, simply add 07860 064422 in your phone contacts and then message the word ‘hi’ in a WhatsApp message to get started.

Find out more on GOV.UK website       

    

Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme

If you're an employer, find out if you can use the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme to claim back employees' coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).

Find out more on GOV.UK website

     

Financial support for businesses during coronavirus (COVID-19)

A full range of business support measures is available to UK businesses and employees. This page helps businesses find out how to access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, when the schemes open and how to apply.

See more on GOV.UK website.

     

Taxable expenses if employee works from home due to COVID-19

Find out what equipment, services or supplies are taxable if your employees are working from home due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

Find out more on GOV.UK website

    

Government to support businesses through Trade Credit Insurance guarantee

Businesses with supply chains which rely on Trade Credit Insurance and who are experiencing difficulties maintaining cover due to Coronavirus will get support from the government, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, John Glen has announced.

Find out more on GOV.UK website