Updated business support 27.03.2020

Here are some key updates in relation to business support:

Bexley’s Covid19 grant scheme is still in preparation – but we expect it to go live early next week. As soon as we have the full information and the web links for the scheme we will circulate to all.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday evening announced a new measure to support self-employed people who have been impacted by the Covid19 virus. The details of the scheme are set out here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme Note that the scheme will be administered by HMRC who will be contacting people who they identify as being eligible. Payments, based on 80% of a self-employed persons profits (averaged out over 3 years where applicable) will be paid as a single grant in June. In the meantime the government has made it easier for self-employed people to access financial support through the Universal Credit programme (further details here).

The Learning and Enterprise College (LECB) – the adult learning and skills arm of Bexley Council – has launched an online jobs board to help local people who may have lost their job due to Covid19 to access opportunities. The job boards (for local and national opportunities) are available on the LECB website: https://www.lecb.ac.uk/ Employers who are sadly needing to lay off staff during this crisis are encouraged to direct affected staff to this website. Local employers with vacancies can find out about how to advertise opportunities here: https://www.lecb.ac.uk/recruitment

Finally don’t forget to encourage your local business contacts to sign up to the Bexley for Business newsletter via this link.