The news today is about the drop in the UK’s GDP by over 20% and the Government has been releasing figures showing the amount and number of claims for CJRS and SEIS schemes.
Speculation on the reduction of the 2-metre rule continues. Regardless of these figures and the speculation, staying safe is our main priority and we start the newsletter with a reminder to stay safe and alert.
There have been a number of announcements about travel and specific industry sectors.
Please flick through the newsletter to see if any is applicable to your business.
Talk to us if you need any help. Stay safe and have a good weekend!
STAYING ALERT AND SAFE (SOCIAL DISTANCING)
Everyone’s actions have helped to reduce the transmission of coronavirus in our communities. Fatalities and infection rates continue to fall.
The government has set out its plan to return life to as near normal as we can, for as many people as we can, as quickly and fairly as possible in order to safeguard livelihoods, but in a way that is safe and continues to protect the NHS. The most important thing we can continue to do is to stay alert, control the virus, and, in doing so, save lives.
This guidance applies in England – people in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should follow the specific rules in those parts of the UK.
HMRC DATA ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS JOB RETENTION SCHEME, THE SELF-EMPLOYMENT INCOME SUPPORT SCHEME, AND THE VAT PAYMENTS DEFERRAL SCHEME
This page is used to publish management information on the:
- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
- Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
- VAT payments deferral scheme
It also collects together Official Statistics publications on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
NEW FUNDING CONFIRMED FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO HELP THOSE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY AS A RESULT OF CORONAVIRUS
An additional £63 million has been confirmed by government to be distributed to local authorities in England to help those who are struggling to afford food and other essentials due to coronavirus.
Local authorities are already working to support those who are vulnerable, and this additional funding will contribute to that work.
Many have existing mechanisms to provide this support in a way that suits the needs of their community. This includes provision of cash payments, food vouchers, or alternative means of support.
TRANSPORT AND TRAVEL GUIDANCE
Information for people using transport or working in the transport sector during the coronavirus outbreak. This was updated 12 June.
For the latest guidance see: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-transport-and-travel-guidance?utm_source=fd5cf8f8-04a0-4b0c-9758-a96daf7c9d3d&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate
SAFER AIR TRAVEL GUIDANCE FOR PASSENGERS
The Government issues advice to air travellers.
You can help control coronavirus (COVID-19) and travel safely by:
- avoiding the busiest times and routes
- keeping your distance when your travel (2 metres apart where possible)
- washing or sanitising your hands regularly
You should not travel if you:
- are experiencing any coronavirus symptoms or have in the last 7 days
- are self-isolating as a result of coronavirus symptoms
- are sharing a household with somebody has experienced coronavirus symptoms in the last 14 days
- have been told to self-isolate as a result of having been in close contact with someone who has been confirmed to have coronavirus in the last 14 days
If you have any symptoms of coronavirus you should self-isolate at home and arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19.
If anyone in your household has symptoms of coronavirus you should self-isolate.
INFORMATION FOR FARMERS, LANDOWNERS AND RURAL BUSINESSES
The latest Information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Read the page link below for regular updates.
Latest news
8 June 2020
Rural Payments helpline open 13 and 14 June
The Rural Payments helpline – 03000 200 301 – will be open on Saturday 13 June and Sunday 14 June from 8.30am to 2pm. This is to support customers leading up to the 15 June deadline for Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) applications, and Countryside Stewardship (CS) and Environmental Stewardship (ES) annual revenue claims.
FORESTRY COMMISSION OPERATIONAL UPDATE
The window to claim annual payments has been extended to 15 June 2020. This is for Countryside Stewardship, Environmental Stewardship and Basic Payments Schemes for the RPA and Forestry Commission Farm Woodland claims.
Please submit you claim as soon as possible. They are accepting claims via email and post. For postal claims, please obtain proof of postage in case your delivery is delayed. Please contact the Admin Hubs by email as soon as possible if you have any difficulties meeting the deadline.
They are working with their partners on the impact of coronavirus on Countryside Stewardship applications. As the deadline for submission of Higher Tier applications has passed (1 May 2020), they are working with Natural England to progress these applications remotely. In some cases, they may need to request further information from you to help progress your application.
This may include a site visit. If you have any problems meeting any application, agreement or claim deadline or requirements please contact Rural Payments as soon as possible:
Email:
Telephone: 03000 200 301
For all updates please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/forestry-commission-operational-update-covid-19?utm_source=142f41ac-459b-44d7-9300-6beb31150840&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate
MANAGEMENT OF STAFF AND EXPOSED PATIENTS AND RESIDENTS IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE SETTINGS
This guidance provides advice on the management of staff and patients or residents in health and social care settings according to exposures, symptoms and test results. It includes:
- staff with symptoms of COVID-19
- staff return to work criteria
- patient exposures in hospital
- resident exposures in care settings
Please note that this guidance is of a general nature and that an employer should consider the specific conditions of each individual place of work and comply with all applicable legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
There may be further information specific to each country in the United Kingdom, as this guidance was written by Public Health England primarily for an English health professional audience. To see if country specific information is available, please refer to Health Protection Scotland, Public Health Wales, or Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland.
GUIDANCE FOR PEOPLE RECEIVING DIRECT PAYMENTS
Advice for people who buy care and support through a direct payment, as well as local authorities, clinical commissioning groups and those who provide care and support. This guidance was updated 10 June 2020.
WALES – INFORMATION FOR INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES
The UK Government has updated its resource site for Wales.
The page covers:
- Individuals and families
- Businesses
- UK Government support for businesses
- Welsh Government support for businesses
- Further support and helplines
- How you can help
Use this page to navigate the latest guidance on the virus for people in Wales:
NORTHERN IRELAND – INFORMATION FOR BUSINESS AND EMPLOYERS
The UK Government has updated their page outlining the links and supports available to businesses and employers.
So, for an overview of what the measures announced by the Chancellor mean for you, please use this page to navigate the latest guidance for people in Northern Ireland.
Contents include:
- Guidance for employees
- Sickness and disability benefits
- Travel
- UK Government support for businesses
- Northern Ireland Executive support for businesses
- Business support helplines
HIGHER EDUCATION: REOPENING BUILDINGS AND CAMPUSES
Guidance for higher education providers in England on when and how to reopen their campuses and buildings.
TEMPORARY RELAXATION OF THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE DRIVERS’ HOURS RULES: ALL SECTORS CARRIAGE OF GOODS BY ROAD
The GB drivers’ hours relaxation applies from 00:01 on Monday 23 March 2020 until 23:59 on Sunday 14 June 2020.
Anyone driving under the GB drivers’ hours rules and undertaking carriage of goods by road can use the relaxations where necessary. The relaxations are not limited to specific sectors or journeys.
The EU drivers’ hours relaxations applied from 00:01 on Monday 23 March 2020 and ran until 23:59 on Sunday 31 May 2020.
WHAT YOU CAN AND CAN’T DO FAQs
This guidance has been updated 12 June.