Industry News

Mar- 2020 -

30 March

Government relaxes insolvency rules

The government has announced a set of changes to help improve the insolvency system to enable companies undergoing restructuring to continue trading. The relaxed measures announced by business secretary Alok Sharma, will allow companies undergoing restructuring to continue to access supplies and raw materials. It has also temporarily suspended wrongful…

27 March

FirstVet makes services free

FirstVet has announced it will be making its services free to all pet owners across the UK until 30 April. The move is in cooperation with its insurance partners, Bought By Many, LV= and Waggel. The on-demand video consultation provider said that the move aims to “alleviate some of the…

27 March

RSPCA officer attacked during swan mission

An RSPCA officer was attacked by a group of teenagers whilst trying to rescue a swan, the animal charity has reported. Animal welfare officer Leanne Honess-Heather was helping a swan who had become tangled in a fishing line when she was approached by five male teenagers in Hull, East Yorkshire.…

27 March

What we know about furlough leave and the CJRS

HMRC published details of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) on 26.3.20 which are available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme Key points include: Employees that employers can claim CJRS for For the purposes of CJRS, the definition of employee would include workers and agency workers provided they are subject to PAYE i.e. this…

26 March

Self-employed to get 80% income grant

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced the government will pay self-employed people a taxable grant based on their previous earnings over the last three years, worth up to 80% of earnings, and capped at £2,500 a month. Sunak said it will run for a minimum of three months, with scope for…

26 March

Wetherspoons’ boss was right to withhold wages

The media and the Twitterati have had a field day vilifying the founder and owner of pub chain Wetherspoons over his decision not to pay his staff in light of the coronavirus restrictions. Tim Martin had sent an email to his 43,000 staff saying he could not afford to pay…

26 March

Pets at Home issues guidelines to customers amid coronavirus crisis

The chief executive of retailer Pets at Home, Peter Pritchard, has issued new guidelines to customers amid the Covid-19 virus outbreak. Whilst many shops have been urged to temporarily close, Pets at Home has been permitted to remain open to serve pet owners “essential items”. Some of the new measures…

26 March

Covid-19: Banks under fire over emergency loan scheme

Banks have come under fire over government-backed emergency loans which require business owners to sign for a personal guarantee, as the UK battles with the Covid-19 pandemic. The British Business Bank (BBB) opened applications for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) on Monday (23 March), and claimed the loan…

26 March

Vets concerned over ‘low supplies’ amid Covid-19 crisis

Concerns have apparently arisen in the veterinary community over potential equipment shortages in light of donations of ventilators to the NHS. As the pandemic spreads, veterinary practices are still providing emergency animal care, and many have begun to donate equipment to the NHS, including monitors, anaesthetic machines and Personal Protective…

26 March

Government and NHS urge vets to donate ventilators

The NHS has asked veterinary surgeons across the country to donate animal ventilators to help tackle the anticipated shortage of the equipment as the pandemic continues. The BBC estimates that there are currently between 300 and 400 animal ventilators in circulation, and that some of these would be suitable for…