National Lockdown 2nd November 2nd December – What it means to your Business

2nd National Lockdown 2^nd November 2^nd December

What it means to your Business

In response to the announcement on 31 October by Boris Johnson we bring you details of what this means to your Business and what you can claim.

Employers and businesses will be provided with additional financial support as part of the government’s plan for the next phase, in his response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Employers have been urged to plan for Employees to work from home where possible in the event their businesses can remain open.

The message was – Stay at home – Protect the NHS and Save lives.

 

What are the Restrictions

These restrictions come into force in England on Thursday 5 November and will affect the following businesses:

• Clothing and electronic stores
• Vehicle showrooms
• Hair, beauty/nail salons Tanning salons
• Tattoo parlours/Body and skin piercing services
• Spas/Massage parlours
• Travel agents
• Betting shops
• Auction houses
• Tailors
• Car washes
• Tobacco and vape shops
• Bowling alleys
• Leisure centres and gyms
• Sports facilities including swimming pools
• Golf courses and driving ranges
• Dance studios
• Stables and riding centres
• Soft play facilities
• Climbing walls and climbing centres
• Archery and shooting ranges
• Water and theme parks
• Theatres/Concert halls and Cinemas
• Museums and galleries
• Casinos/Adult gaming centres/arcades and Bingo halls
• Zoos and other animal attractions
• Botanical gardens
• Non-medical acupuncture

 

Food shops, supermarkets, garden centres and some other retailers providing essential goods and services will be permitted to remain open.

Non-essential retailers are permitted to remain open for delivery to customers and click and collect.

Restaurants, pubs and bars must close, but can provide takeaway and delivery services – though the takeaway of alcohol will not be permitted.

Hotels, hostels and accommodation should only open for those who have to travel for work purposes.

 

What is happening with Furlough (CJRS)

Although plans to end the CJRS Scheme were due on 3 October and be replaced with the Job Support Scheme (JSS), in the final hours of the CJRS ending, midst leaks the press and a delay from the government it was announced by Boris that the CJRS Scheme will continue up to the 2^nd December.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/furlough-scheme-extended-and-further-economic-support-announced

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), known as the Furlough scheme will be available to all small, large, charitable or non-profit, Businesses.

Employers will have the flexibility to bring furloughed employees back to work on a part time basis or furlough them full-time.

Employers will only be asked to cover National Insurance and Employer pension contributions which, for the average claim, accounts for just 5% of total employment costs.

Employees will receive 80% of their current salary for hours not worked, up to a maximum of £2,500.

 

 

Will there be any HMRC checks?

HMRC will check claims.

Payments may be withheld or need to be paid back if a claim is found to be fraudulent or based on incorrect information.

Records must be retained for 5 years for HMRC auditing purposes.

 

Do you need your Employee consent?

Employers must agree the Furloughing arrangements with Employees, make any changes to the employment contract by agreement, and notify the Employee in writing and gain consent.

This agreement must be made available to HMRC on request.

We can provide your Furloughing Agreements, please get in touch; these should be provided from HR Practitioners.

The intention is that Employees will be informed by HMRC directly of full details of the claim.

Records must be retained for 5 years for auditing purposes.

 

What if you are subject to a forced to closure due to a national lockdown?

In addition, business premises forced to close in England are to receive grants worth up to £3,000 per month under the Local Restrictions Support Grant.

Also, £1.1bn is being given to Local Authorities, distributed on the basis of £20 per head, for one-off payments to enable them to support businesses more broadly.

 

 

We will bring you more once the Government releases their updated guidance, as always, we only follow official guidelines.

Get in touch for help or assistance we are ready to help you, get in touch to have a discussion with one of our team, you can call us on 01254 467156 for an informal chat, you can also email us @ [email protected]

Updated 1 November 2020