Financial Scheme information
Updated at 4pm on 1 June 2020
Support for small and medium businesses affected by Coronavirus is being reviewed daily and updated on a regular basis. Below is a list of the current information available along with links to more details on each scheme and how to apply for it.
This is an unprecedented time for all small and medium businesses across Somerset. To mitigate the financial hardships caused by Coronavirus (Covid 19), the government have created tailored financial support packages. Details of these can be found below. Please click on the links to find more details of each scheme.
Alternatively, the government has now launched a Business Coronavirus Support Finder to quickly help businesses determine what financial support is available for themselves or their business.
Small Business Grant Funding
The Government is providing funding for District Councils 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. This will provide a one-off grant of £10,000 to eligible businesses to help meet their ongoing business costs. You can find out more on small business grant funding here. District Councils will be contacting eligible small businesses imminently. Please check their website for progress and contact details.
Somerset Districts and Towns map
Contacts
- Mendip District Council
- Sedgemoor District Council
- Somerset West and Taunton Council
- South Somerset District Council
Top-up to local business grant funds scheme
A discretionary fund has been set up to accommodate certain small businesses previously outside the scope of the business grant funds scheme. You can read more here
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
UK wide this scheme will help small and medium-sized businesses, with an annual turnover of up to £45m, to access loans, overdrafts, invoice finance and asset finance of up to £5 million for up to six years. The scheme will be delivered through 40 accredited commercial lenders, backed by the Government-owned British Business Bank. Find out more here
Bounce Back loan scheme
The Bounce Back Loan scheme due to launch on 4 May, will help small and medium-sized businesses to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000. The government will guarantee 100% of the loan and there won’t be any fees or interest to pay for the first 12 months – loan terms will be up to 6 years. To apply for the loan, small businesses will be required to fill in a two-page self-certification form online. Find out more
Job Retention Scheme
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. This applies to employees who have been asked to stop working, but who are being kept on the pay roll. HMRC will reimburse 80% of their wages, up to £2,500 per month. You can check if you can claim for your employees’ wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme here
From July, businesses can bring furloughed employees back part time and will be responsible for paying their wages while in work.
From August, the government grant will be slowly tapered as follows:
- August: The government pay 80% of wages up to £2,500. Employers pay ER NICs and pension contributions
- September: The government pay 70% of wages up to £2,187.50. Employers pay ER NICs and pension contributions and 10% of wages to make up 80% total up to £2,500
- October: The government pay 60% of wages up to a cap of £1,875. Employers pay ER NICs and pension contributions and 20% of wages to make up 80% total up to £2,500
Apprentices
Apprentices can be furloughed in the same way as other employees and continue to train. They must be paid at least the Apprenticeship Minimum Wage, National Living Wage or National Minimum Wage as appropriate, for all of the time spent training, even if this is more than 80% of normal wages. You can find out more here
Statutory Sick Pay Rebate
The Government is introducing legislation to allow small and medium-sized businesses to reclaim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) paid for staff sickness absence due to coronavirus. This refund will cover up to 2 weeks’ SSP per eligible employee who has been off work because of coronavirus. Find out more here: HM Government Business Support – Statutory Sick Pay Rebate
VAT Deferral
The government are offering all businesses which are Valued Added Tax (VAT) registered the option to defer payments for 3 months. You can find out more on the HM Government Business Support – VAT Referral page.
Time to Pay
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. These arrangements are agreed on a case-by-case basis and are tailored to individual circumstances and liabilities. You can find out more here.
Business Rates Holiday for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure
Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors in England will not have to pay business rates for the 2020-21 tax year. Businesses that received the retail discount in the 2019 to 20 tax year will be rebilled by their local authority as soon as possible.
HM Government Business Support – Business Rates Holiday for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure
Cash Grant for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure
If your business is in the retail, hospitality or leisure sector, you will receive a cash grant of up to £25,000 per property. Find out more here: HM Government Business Support – Cash Grant for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure
District Council’s will be contacting eligible small businesses imminently. Please check their website for progress and contact details.
Contacts
- South Somerset District Council
- Mendip District Council
- Sedgemoor District Council
- Somerset West and Taunton
Business Rates Holiday for Nurseries
Nurseries in England* do not have to pay business rates for the 2020 to 21 tax year. You can find out more on the HM Government Business Support – Business Rate Holidays for Nurseries page.
£500 million Future Fund to protect UK’s innovation sector
Small and medium-sized firms specialising in research and development will be eligible for access to new grants and loans. The £500 million Future Fund will be delivered in partnership with the British Business Bank and the government. It will be launched in May and open until the end of September. You can find out more here
Other Finance Options
A number of private lenders are also making funds available to small businesses impacted by Coronavirus, including £2 billion from Lloyds Banking Group and £5 billion from NatWest. Businesses can also access a range of finance through the government-owned British Business Bank.
Information and Assistance
Free information, support and advice for those needing help during Coronavirus can be obtained from:
Heart of the South West Growth Hubs
You can also find free support, advice and information on sources of finance and advice on homeworking through your local Heart of the South West Growth Hub.
GOV.UK Business Support
Get coronavirus (COVID-19) support for your business or if you’re self-employed, and find out how to keep your business and your employees safe. GOV.UK Business Support
HMRC Covid Helpline
HMRC have additional helplines, including one set up to support businesses concerned about not being able to pay their tax due to coronavirus on 0800 0159 559. You can find more details about contacting HMRC on their website.
Mind
The charity Mind provide advice on how to support your mental wellbeing during this difficult period. The Mind website includes practical advice on coping with staying at home and updates on how the new coronavirus laws could affect your rights. There is also useful information for any young person who is currently struggling.
Step Change
Contact the debt charity Step Change to get expert debt advice and fee-free debt management to help you tackle your debts.
You can find out more on their website or phone 0800 138 1111