Chamber News

Norfolk Chambers are hearing from many businesses with lots questions about the new Jobs Retention Scheme and how is works.  Below is a guide of what we know so far, that will hopefully answer some of the questions.  But please be aware that there is more information to come from Government.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

What is it?

Government grants will cover 80% of the salary of retained workers, up to a total of £2,500 a month. The scheme, open to any employer in the country, will cover the cost of wages backdated to March 1st and will be open before the end of April for at least 3 months. 

The employer can choose to fund the differences between the grant and an employee’s salary but does not have to.

Am I eligible?

All UK businesses are eligible

What do I need to do to access it?

You will need to:

• Designate affected employees as furloughed workers (when staff members are required to take an unpaid leave of absence) and notify your employees of this change – changing the status of employees remains subject to existing employment law and, depending on the employment contract, may be subject to negotiation. Workersshould not undertake work while they are ‘furloughed’.

• Submit information to HMRC about the employees that have been furloughed and their earnings through a new online portal (HMRC will set out further details on the information required).

HMRC are currently working to set up a system for reimbursement as existing systems are not set up to facilitate payments to employers.If your business needs short term cash flow support, you may be eligible for a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan.

Who do I need to speak to?

HMRC. This scheme is currently expected to open by the end of April.

The Norfolk Chambers and the rest of the UK Chamber network have been compiling the business questions with the British Chambers of Commerce – here is the most Frequently Asked Questions: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme FAQs.

As the Coronavirus continues to impact the day-to-day operations of businesses across our region, Norfolk Chambers stand ready to support you. Working with the British Chambers of Commerce, we need to hear from you about how your business is coping. Given the rapid pace of developments, we now need to understand the immediate short terms impacts on your business. We are in constant contact with the UK Government and Bank of England as business support packages have been developed. In this 2-3 minute poll: – Covid-19 Business Tracker – please tell us the immediate business conditions you are facing and whether your business is aware of or has used the recently announced support packages from government. Your input is essential to our work on behalf of your business. We intend to seek your views over the next few weeks to track progress. As a business leader, your views have never been more important.

Take the poll now.

Millions of self-employed individuals will receive direct cash grants though a UK-wide scheme to help them during the coronavirus outbreak, the Chancellor announced today.

In the latest step to protect individuals and businesses, the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak has set out plans that will see the self-employed receive up to £2,500 per month in grants for at least 3 months.

Millions of people across the UK could benefit from the new Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, with those eligible receiving a cash grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profit over the last three years. This covers 95% of people who receive the majority of their income from self-employment.

Cleaners, plumbers, electricians, musicians, hairdressers and many other self-employed people who are eligible for the new scheme will be able to apply directly to HMRC for the taxable grant, using a simple online form, with the cash being paid directly into people’s bank account.

The scheme will be open to those with a trading profit of less than £50,000 in 2018-19 or an average trading profit of less than £50,000 from 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19.  To qualify, more than half of their income in these periods must come from self-employment.

To minimise fraud, only those who are already in self-employment and meet the above conditions will be eligible to apply. HMRC will identify eligible taxpayers and contact them directly with guidance on how to apply. 

Individuals should not contact HMRC now. HMRC will use existing information to check potential eligibility and invite applications once the scheme is operational.

For full information on the Chancellor’s announcement click here.

Grant Applications – FAQ for the Self Employed

HMRC’s tax helpline is changing

HMRC has a set up a phone helpline to support businesses and self-employed people concerned about not being able to pay their tax due to coronavirus. The tax helpline number is changing. You can now call them on 08000 241222. Opening hours are from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday. Calls to the old helpline number will be redirected automatically.

 Business Rates Expanded Retail Discount

Guidance on the operation of expanded retail discount 2020 to 2021 has been updated so that certain properties previously excluded from the relief, but that have been the forced to close as a result of coronavirus restrictions, will now be eligible for the relief. Many high street businesses that have closed due to Covid-19 restrictions will now be exempt from business rates including retail, leisure, and hospitality properties, estate agents, lettings agencies and bingo halls.

 Vehicle owners to be granted MOT exemption in battle against coronavirus

Temporary exemption will enable vital services to continue, frontline workers to get to work, and people to get essential food and medicine. Further information can be found here.

 Producing hand sanitiser and gel for coronavirus (COVID-19)

HMRC have produced guidance on temporary changes to the use and supply of denatured alcohol and duty-free spirits, to help businesses who produce hand sanitiser and gel. All guidance on the production and supply of hand sanitiser can be found here.

 Government launches Coronavirus Information Service on WhatsApp

The UK Government has launched a GOV.UK Coronavirus Information service on WhatsApp. The new free to use service aims to provide official, trustworthy and timely information and advice. To use the free GOV.UK Coronavirus Information Service on WhatsApp, simply add 07860 064422 in your phone contacts and then message the word ‘hi’ in a WhatsApp message to get started. Further information can be found here.

 Hotel accommodation to support key workers and vulnerable people

Guidance has been updated to clarify the exemption for hotels, hostels, and B&Bs to open so they can offer accommodation to key workers and support rough sleepers to keep them off the streets and in suitable accommodation. Further guidance can be found here.

Companies to receive a 3 month extension period to file accounts:

Companies House have announced that businesses will be given an additional 3 months to file accounts to help companies avoid penalties as they deal with the impacts of COVID-19. Full guidance on applying for an extension can be found here.

Protection from eviction for commercial tenants:

Commercial tenants who cannot pay their rent because of COVID-19 will be protected from eviction. Further details are now available.

VAT Deferral

Further advice has been released in relation to VAT deferral.  Your VAT return should be filed as usual, but in order to ensure your payments are not taken automatically, direct debits (DDs) should be cancelled.  Government advice on VAT deferral can be found here.

UK Government Business Support website:

The UK government is supporting businesses and their employees through a package of measures during this period of unprecedented disruption. The Business Support website helps businesses find the right support, advice and information to help with the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the support measures that are available. This website will continue to be updated as information becomes available. 

EUR1 Update

As from today, 9th April 2020, Mexico have joined Switzerland and Chile in accepting Electronic Signatures on EUR1s.  You can now apply for these online thorugh the e-zCert system as an Express application if you have the blank forms in your office – blank forms can be purchased from us £8.50+VAT (Members), £17+VAT (non-members).  Alternatively you can submit your application as Standard and we will print onto a blank form and post the document out to you.    Negotiations are still ongoing with other Countries to try and get Electronic Signatures accepted during the Coronavirus period.

Force Majeure Certificates – The Norfolk Chambers of Commerce is offering clients facing issues in the movement of goods due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), a Force Majeure Certificate. 

How to Apply

1. Email a letter confirming details of the force majeure circumstances and the scope of non-fulfilment of contractual obligations due to these circumstances, signed by the Company Director to [email protected]
2. This will need to be backed up by documents by the competent authorities or verifiable sources attesting to the existence of the force majeure circumstances – please note this is not required if circumstances are related to COVID-19
3. A draft certificate will be emailed to you for approval
4. The letter on Norfolk Chambers headed paper will be stamped with the Chamber logo stamp and sent off to you

The cost of the Force Majeure Certificate will be £30+VAT for members and £60+VAT for non-members.   

If you have any queries please contact [email protected] or call 01603 729706

Foreign and Commonwealth Office – UPDATE 09.04.20

The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office is providing a limited service at present for legalisation until further notice. If you have any queries please contact Julie Austin on [email protected] regarding any legalisations you may have over the course of the next few weeks.

Pre-signed Movement Documents (ATRs & EUR1s)

Pre-signed movement documents (ATRs & EUR1s) submitted via e-cert will no longer be processed as the office has closed down. These documents could then be processed and ‘issued retrospectively’ when the office re-opens – we will then need transport documents as additional evidence for these applications.

We must stress that any documents posted to Norfolk Chamber of Commerce may not be dealt with in the short term until we can get a redirection in place. If you require to post documents please contact Julie Austin on [email protected] to discuss.

Export Documentation

Documents processed through the e-zCert system will be as follows:

Express Service – any document received by 3pm will be processed and sent back the same day.

Standard Service – any document received by 12 noon will be processed and posted back to you.    Please bear with us if there are any delays in getting the documents back to you in these unusual circumstances.   We would suggest that you get your applications in as early as you can before the document is required so that you have them back in a timely manner.

Businesses must play their part to help limit the spread of Coronavirus.

Commenting on the Prime Minister’s speech last night, Chris Sargisson, CEO of Norfolk Chambers Said:

“As the UK goes into lockdown, ministers must be crystal-clear about which businesses can continue to operate, and those which must now shut their doors.

“The new restrictions make it all the more important that the package of financial support announced by ministers last week is delivered to firms and employees on the ground as quickly as possible.”

The latest government advice on staying at home and social distancing can be found here.

Guidance has been issued on the closure of all retailers that sell non-essential goods and other non-essential premises, as part of further social distancing measures. A full list of the businesses and premises that must remain closed is available. Takeaway and delivery services may remain open and operational. Online retail is still open and encouraged and postal and delivery service will run as normal. Retail and public premises which expect to remain open must:

• Ensure a distance of two meters between customers and shop assistants; and
• Let people enter the shop only in small groups, to ensure that spaces are not crowded.
• Queue control is required outside of shops and other essential premises that remain open.

The Government will look again at these measures in three weeks and relax them if the evidence shows this is possible. Everyone is instructed to comply with the rules issued by the government in relation to coronavirus, in order to protect both themselves and others.

On Friday evening, the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak announced a wider package of support for businesses struggling with the impact of the Corona Virus.  Including support to pay employee wages, deferral of VAT and tax.

Below is an outline of the support available, the eligibility criteria and how to apply.

JOB RETENTION SCHEME – UP TO 80% OF WAGE COSTS

Under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, all UK employers will be able to access support to continue paying part of their employees’ salary for those employees that would otherwise have been laid off during this crisis.

Eligibility: All UK businesses are eligible.

How to access the scheme

You will need to:

• designate affected employees as ‘furloughed workers,’ and notify your employees of this change – changing the status of employees remains subject to existing employment law and, depending on the employment contract, may be subject to negotiation
• submit information to HMRC about the employees that have been furloughed and their earnings through a new online portal (HMRC will set out further details on the information required)

HMRC will reimburse 80% of furloughed workers wage costs, up to a cap of £2,500 per month. HMRC are working urgently to set up a system for reimbursement. Existing systems are not set up to facilitate payments to employers.

DEFERRING VAT AND INCOME TAX PAYMENTS:

The government will support businesses by deferring Valued Added Tax (VAT) payments for 3 months. If you’re self-employed, Income Tax payments due in July 2020 under the Self-Assessment system will be deferred to January 2021.

VAT – the deferral will apply from 20 March 2020 until 30 June 2020.

Eligibility: All UK businesses are eligible.

How to access the scheme

This is an automatic offer with no applications required. Businesses will not need to make a VAT payment during this period. Taxpayers will be given until the end of the 2020 to 2021 tax year to pay any liabilities that have accumulated during the deferral period. VAT refunds and reclaims will be paid by the government as normal.

INCOME TAX – For Income Tax Self-Assessment, payments due on the 31 July 2020 will be deferred until the 31 January 2021.

Eligibility: If you are self-employed you are eligible.

How to access the scheme

This is an automatic offer with no applications required.

No penalties or interest for late payment will be charged in the deferral period.

HMRC have also scaled up their Time to Pay offer to all firms and individuals who are in temporary financial distress as a result of Covid-19 and have outstanding tax liabilities.

BUSINESS RATES HOLIDAY FOR RETAIL, HOSPITALITY AND LEISURE BUSINESSES  

We will introduce a business rates holiday for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England for the 2020 to 2021 tax year.

Businesses that received the retail discount in the 2019 to 2020 tax year will be rebilled by their local authority as soon as possible.

Eligibility – You are eligible for the business rates holiday if:

• your business is based in England
• your business is in the retail, hospitality and/or leisure sector

Properties that will benefit from the relief will be occupied hereditaments that are wholly or mainly being used:

• as shops, restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments, cinemas and live music venues
• for assembly and leisure
• as hotels, guest & boarding premises and self-catering accommodation

How to access the scheme

There is no action for you. This will apply to your next council tax bill in April 2020. However, local authorities may have to reissue your bill automatically to exclude the business rate charge. They will do this as soon as possible.

You can estimate the business rate charge you will no longer have to pay this year using the business rates calculator.

Further guidance for local authorities is available in the expanded retail discount guidance.

CASH GRANTS FOR RETAIL, HOSPITALITY AND LEISURE BUSINESSES 

The Retail and Hospitality Grant Scheme provides businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with a cash grant of up to £25,000 per property.

For businesses in these sectors with a rateable value of under £15,000, they will receive a grant of £10,000.

For businesses in these sectors with a rateable value of between £15,001 and £51,000, they will receive a grant of £25,000.

Eligibility – You are eligible for the grant if:

• your business is based in England
• your business is in the retail, hospitality and/or leisure sector

Properties that will benefit from the relief will be occupied hereditaments that are wholly or mainly being used:

• as shops, restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments, cinemas and live music venues
• for assembly and leisure
• as hotels, guest and boarding premises and self-catering accommodation

How to access the scheme

You do not need to do anything. Your local authority will write to you if you are eligible for this grant.

Guidance for local authorities on the scheme will be provided shortly.

Any enquiries on eligibility for, or provision of, the reliefs and grants should be directed to the relevant local authority. Find your local authority.

SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES THAT PAY LITTLE OR NO BUSINESS RATES

The government will provide additional Small Business Grant Scheme funding for local authorities to support small businesses that already pay little or no business rates because of small business rate relief (SBBR), 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.

Eligibility – You are eligible if:

• your business is based in England
• you are a small business and already receive SBBR and/or RRR
• you are a business that occupies property

How to access the scheme

You do not need to do anything. Your local authority will write to you if you are eligible for this grant.

Guidance for local authorities on the scheme will be provided shortly.

Any enquiries on eligibility for, or provision of, the reliefs and grants should be directed to the relevant local authority.  Find your local authority.

CORONAVIRUS BUSINESS INTERRUPTION LOAN SCHEME 

A new temporary Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, delivered by the British Business Bank, will launch early next week to support primarily small and medium-sized businesses to access bank lending and overdrafts.

The government will provide lenders with a guarantee of 80% on each loan (subject to a per-lender cap on claims) to give lenders further confidence in continuing to provide finance to SMEs. The government will not charge businesses or banks for this guarantee, and the Scheme will support loans of up to £5 million in value.

Businesses can access the first 12 months of that finance interest free, as government will cover the first 12 months of interest payments.

Eligibility – You are eligible for the scheme if:

• your business is UK based, with turnover of no more than £45 million per year
• your business meets the other British Business Bank eligibility criteria

How to access the scheme

The full rules of the Scheme and the list of accredited lenders is available on the British Business Bank website. All the major banks will offer the Scheme once it has launched. There are 40 accredited providers in all.

You should talk to your bank or finance provider (not the British Business Bank) as soon as possible and discuss your business plan with them. This will help your finance provider to act quickly once the Scheme has launched. If you have an existing loan with monthly repayments you may want to ask for a repayment holiday to help with cash flow.

The scheme will be available week commencing 23 March.

SUPPORT FOR LARGER FIRMS – CORPORATE FINANCING FACILITY 

Under the new Covid-19 Corporate Financing Facility, the Bank of England will buy short term debt from larger companies.

This will support your company if it has been affected by a short-term funding squeeze, and allow you to finance your short-term liabilities.  It will also support corporate finance markets overall and ease the supply of credit to all firms.

Eligibility – All UK businesses are eligible.

How to access the scheme

The scheme will be available early in week beginning 23 March 2020.

We will provide information on how to access the scheme here shortly.

More information is available from the Bank of England.

TAX TIME TO PAY SERVICE 

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.

Eligibility – You are eligible if your business:

• pays tax to the UK government
• has outstanding tax liabilities

How to access the scheme

If you have missed a tax payment or you might miss your next payment due to COVID-19, please call HMRC’s dedicated helpline: 0800 0159 559.

If you’re worried about a future payment, please call them nearer the time.

For full details on all the government support available click here.

NEW ANGLIA GROWTH HUB

Another source of support for your business is the New Anglia Growth Hub.  It is Government funded and ready to offer free advice to all businesses in Norfolk.  If you feel your business has been affected by Coronavirus, whether you are experiencing supply chain issues, order or booking cancellations, a reduction in sales, or any other challenge, contact the Growth Hub to speak to one of our qualified business advisers.

Email [email protected] or telephone 0300 333 6536 (Mon- Fri 9am-5pm)

Greater Anglia have announced that they will be introducing a reduced timetable from Monday 23 March, as everyone across Greater Anglia works flat out to provide transport for people delivering essential services. With the coronavirus situation, customer demand has reduced, whilst staff availability in Greater Anglia and Network Rail Anglia has also started to be affected, making changes to the timetable necessary – as they need to provide a timetable that they can continue to offer on a consistent basis.

The timetable that will operate from Monday onwards is closer to a Sunday timetable, but with extra early morning and later evening services, to deliver an effective public transport service for key workers.  Reducing the number of trains in service also creates opportunities for additional cleaning activities on trains, and in depots, and allows more targeted cleaning at stations.

The service level will deliver enough seats to meet the current demand levels and the timetable will be kept under regular review to react to any further developments.

The entire Greater Anglia team is absolutely committed to keeping the region moving, while also keeping themselves safe.

Details of the reduced timetable are available on the Greater Anglia website.  An outline summary of the route by route frequency is shown below:

Half-hourly

Hertford East to Stratford

Southend to London

Hourly

Norwich to London intercity services

Ipswich to London (in addition to the intercity service)

Clacton to London – but no services to or via Colchester Town

Cambridge to London

Norwich to Cambridge – trains will not run through to Stansted Airport, so passengers can change at Ely or Cambridge for onward connections

Norwich to Sheringham, Norwich to Great Yarmouth and Norwich to Lowestoft

Ipswich to Lowestoft, Ipswich to Felixstowe and Ipswich to Cambridge

Thorpe-le-Soken to Walton-on-the-Naze

Manningtree to Harwich

Marks Tey to Sudbury

Witham to Braintree (shuttle all day with no direct trains to London)

Wickford to Southminster

Stansted Airport to London

Two-hourly

Ipswich to Peterborough

Greater Anglia have advised that will continue to do all they can to provide an excellent service for everyone who does travel by train and to support customers, colleagues and the communities they serve, during this challenging and difficult period.  

As schools are set to close their doors today (Friday 20 March) as part of coronavirus measures, the government has now published its list of ‘key workers’ whose children will be prioritised for education provision.

The Department of Education’s list of key workers includes jobs within health and social care, education and childcare, local and national government, utilities, communication and finance, food and necessary goods, public safety and key public services.  Click here to see the list of key workers.

Closing of the schools will also have an impact on businesses across our region, as firms look to balance maintaining their businesses with staff who now have to work out childcare logistics.  Norfolk Chambers are here to help and support.  Our team will remain available to you and continues to connect, support and give voice to every business in Norfolk. 

• Business Support: Norfolk Chambers’ membership gives businesses access to free HR, legal, tax and health & safety advice – much of which may be useful to you during the current COVID-19 situation. The Norfolk Chambers’ team is on hand to help you get the maximum benefits from your Chamber membership.  For more information: [email protected] or we have a live-chat facility on our website during working hours.
• Events: In view of the latest advice, we have taken the decision to postpone all events/training courses until the end of April 2020.  We will reconsider our position on events at this point.  In the meantime, if you are booked onto an event during this period, we will be in touch to advise you about your booking.  For any queries relating to our events, please contact [email protected] or 01603 625977
• Export documentation: This expert service continues to operate, but please note there may be a slight delay on the speed of service.  We would encourage you to consider using the electronic e-zCert system to process your documentation wherever possible.  We have also put contingency plans in place to ensure continuous service.   For any queries relating to this please contact: [email protected] or call 01603 625977 and we will arrange a call back.
• Communications: All of our communications channels remain open to support members boost their customer reach and access support. For further information on using Norfolk Chamber’s website and accessing our social media platforms: [email protected] or 01603 625977
• Campaigning and policy: Norfolk Chambers continues to lobby hard on your company’s behalf. We very much welcome any feedback that you may have on how Covid-19 is impacting on your business and also suggestions of what the Government could do to help you to navigate this difficult period.  Please contact Nova Fairbank on email: [email protected] or Tel: 01603 729713.

As you are aware, the response to Coronavirus/COVID-19 means that the advice to business is likely to change.  We will ensure that Norfolk Chambers keeps you updated as the situation changes.  The latest advice from Government on what businesses need to do and the support available to them can be found here.

A new virtual networking hour to help businesses to promote their products, services and expertise is being launched by Norfolk Chambers of Commerce from Tuesday 23 March 2020. 

The #NorfolkChamberHour on Twitter is launching in response to the disruption caused by coronavirus, with face-to-face events cancelled across the region and many firms resorting to home working.

The networking hour on Twitter will take place each day between 2pm and 3pm.

Businesses can network, connect and promote goods, services and expertise using the hash tag #NorfolkChamberHour.

The impact of coronavirus is likely to change the way many of us do business for the foreseeable future. It is important that businesses have a way to communicate with each other through difficult times and support each other.

This new virtual networking hour is a daily opportunity for businesses to log on and promote products, services and expertise that could help other firms and, in turn, their own during this uncertain period.

The #NorfokChamberHour will be operated from our @NorfolkChamber Twitter account