Updates are being issued regularly, so please do check back.
This page was last updated on 22 May 2020
| Government Assistance Announced | Details | Timescale |
|---|---|---|
| Business Rates | ||
Business Rates Holiday for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure | Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, irrespective of Rateable Value, will receive 100% retail relief for 2020/21. So every shop, pub, theatre, music venue, restaurant and any other business in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will pay no business rates for a year. This has been extended to cover all premises, regardless of their Rateable Value. Properties that will benefit from the relief will be those that are wholly or mainly being used as shops, restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments, cinemas and live music venues, for assembly and leisure, or as hotels, guest and boarding premises and self-catering accommodation | Eligible businesses will receive a new bill showing that there is nothing to pay for 2020/21. |
Cash Grants 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 (subject to the information below). Businesses in these sectors with a rateable value of under £15,000 will receive a grant of £10,000. Businesses in these sectors with a rateable value of between £15,001 and £51,000 will receive a grant of £25,000. Properties that will benefit from the relief will be those that are wholly or mainly being used as shops, restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments, cinemas and live music venues, for assembly and leisure, or as hotels, guest and boarding premises and self-catering accommodation. | The Council received the Government funding on 1 April. We have written to all eligible businesses to invite them to apply. If you have received your letter, you can apply online now. |
Cash Grant for Small Businesses | The Government is providing additional funding for Local Authorities 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.
| The Council received the Government funding on 1 April. We have written to all eligible businesses to invite them to apply. If you have received your letter, you can apply online now. |
Business Rates Holiday for Nurseries
| Nurseries in England do not have to pay business rates for the 2020-21 tax year. Properties that will benefit from the relief will be those occupied by providers on Ofsted's Early Year Register and are wholly or mainly used for the provision of Early Years Foundation Stage. | Eligible businesses will receive a new bill showing that there is nothing to pay for 2020/21 as soon as possible. |
Other assistance is available from the Government for businesses in England. Below are some brief descriptions of the available schemes, and links to more information. These schemes are not administered by West Devon Borough Council.
If you have put your employees on furlough because of coronavirus (COVID-19) you can claim for 80% of their wages plus any employer National Insurance and pension contributions.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - Claim Now
The Coronavirus Business Interupption Loan Scheme (CBILS) provides financial support to smaller businesses affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
This scheme helps large businesses affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) through the purchase of their short-term debt.
Covid-19 Corporate Financing Facility
Because of coronavirus you may be able to delay (defer) some tax payments without paying a penalty. You can
Call the HMRC Helpline for advice on 0800 0159 559.
Time to Pay (HMRC) VAT Deferral
The Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate will repay employers the current rate of SSP that they pay to current or former employees for periods of sickness starting on or after 13 March 2020.
| If you are self-employed and your trade is affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) we are working with the measures outlines by the Government, Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) and our own local powers to provide support where we can. | ||
|---|---|---|
Income Tax Deferral for the Self Employed | If you are self-employed, Income Tax payments due in July 2020 under the Self-Assessment system will be deferred to 31 January 2021. If you are self-employed, you are eligible. | This is an automatic offer with no applications required. No penalties or interest for late payment will be charged in the deferral period. |
Self Employed Income Support Scheme | If you are self employed and struggling during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the Government has announced a new support package for you. You can claim a taxable grant worth 80% of your trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 for the next three months. | The scheme will be open for applications soon. Please click on the button opposite to find out more. |
Apply for Universal Credit | Business owners and their employees who cannot work or find their income streams significantly reduced due to coronavirus (COVID-19) maybe eligible to claim Council Tax Reduction or apply for support from our Exceptional Hardship Fund. | You can claim Universal Credit online for help with your income replacement and housing costs. |
Apply for Council Tax Reduction | The Government has also announced a new £500million Hardship Fund so we can support economically vulnerable people and households, to be administered by the Council. The Government expects most of this funding to be used to provide more council tax relief, either through existing Local Council Tax Support Schemes, or through similar measures. The Government will set out more detail on this funding, including allocations, shortly. | The Council will send out further update bulletins as soon as we have more information from Central Government. |
| Help Available | About |
|---|---|
| Frequently Asked Questions | The Government's website page on Frequently Asked Questions |
| The Heart of the South West Growth Hub | Business support and advice is available over the phone, 03456 047 047 or by email info@heartofswgrowthhub.co.uk or accessing The Heart of the South West Growth Hub website |
Business Support | You can contact the Government's Business Support Helpline for free advice. 0300 456 3565 Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
HMRC Coronavirus (COVID-19) Helpline | 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. These businesses can contact HMRC's new dedicated coronavirus (COVID-19) helpline for advice and support.
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Guidance for Businesses - 16 March 2020 Guidance for Businesses - 17 March 2020 Guidance for Businesses - 18 March 2020 Message from Council Leaders - 24 March 2020 Guidance for Businesses - 24 March 2020 Guidance for Businesses - 31 March 2020
