Coronavirus

Oct- 2020 -

19 October

Burns launches loyalty scheme to support high streets

Burns Pet Nutrition has issued a plea to members of the public to support local high streets in a bid to help small businesses survive the pandemic. The pet food company is now calling on pet owners to buy their pet food from local stores, and has now launched a…

15 October

London to move to Tier 2

London and Essex will face tougher Tier 2 Covid-19 restrictions from Saturday (17 October), including a ban on the mixing of households, local MPs have been told. According to the BBC, health secretary Matt Hancock is set to update MPs on the latest measures in the Commons later today. Under…

13 October

Research shows positive impact of dogs on mental health

Research carried out by Kennel Club to mark World Mental Health Day this year (8 October) has revealed the positive impact of dogs on mental health during lockdown. Some 91% of dog owners surveyed agreed that their pets helped them cope mentally and emotionally during the height of the pandemic.…

9 October

Gov to cover 66% of wages for firms forced to shut

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced that businesses forced to shut due to local restrictions will be eligible for a grant that pays two-thirds of staff salaries. The government will pay two-thirds, or 67%, of each employee’s salary, up to a maximum of £2,100 a month, if the business is forced…

7 October

Businesses must check furlough inaccuracies before HMRC deadline

Businesses using the furlough scheme have been urged to “thoroughly check” their claims for inaccuracies before HMRC’s cut-off date to avoid the risk of fines or prosecution. Accountancy firm Kilsby Williams issued the warning after HMRC sent letters to a growing number of businesses to inform them of potential errors…

Sep- 2020 -

28 September

£3bn tariff ahead for UK retailers and consumers, warns BRC

Supermarkets and their customers could face £3bn a year of tariffs on food and drink if a free trade deal is not agreed between the UK and the EU before 1st January 2020, The BRC has warned In its report the association said an average increase in tariffs of 20%…

24 September

Chancellor unveils new Job Support Scheme

The chancellor has today announced a new Jobs Support Scheme that will see the government “directly support” the wages of those in part-time work. The scheme, which will run for six months starting this November, will see the government attempt to preserve “viable” jobs by subsidising the pay of employees…

24 September

Chancellor set to unveil furlough replacement after Budget cancellation

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has cancelled this year’s Budget but is set to unveil new measures aimed at protecting employment and the UK economy in parliament later today (24 September). It is thought the new measures will replace the current furlough scheme, which is set to expire at the end of…

21 September

Government launches £95m recovery fund for high street

A new £95m government-funded scheme will support 68 “historic” high streets in England to recover from “declining footfall” and the impact of the pandemic. The initiative, High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ), will work with local authorities to convert disused buildings into new shops, workplaces and community spaces. HSHAZ will…

18 September

UK retail sales rise for fourth consecutive month

August saw retail sales volumes increase by 0.8% when compared with July, marking the fourth consecutive month of growth. According to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), this resulted in an increase of 4% when compared with February’s pre-pandemic level of sales. The value of retail…