COVID-19: Strengthened Support for Business

The Government has taken further action to support firms affected by COVID-19 by bolstering business interruption loans for small businesses and announcing a new scheme for larger companies.

Extended Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)
The Government has extended the CBILS so that all viable small businesses affected by COVID-19, and not just those unable to secure regular commercial financing, will now be eligible should they need finance to keep operating during this difficult time.

The government is also stopping lenders from requesting personal guarantees for loans under £250,000 and making operational changes to speed up lending approvals. The government will continue to cover the first twelve months of interest and fees.

Please find further details here

New Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS)
The new CLBILS will ensure that more firms are able to benefit from government-backed support during this difficult time. It will provide a government guarantee of 80% to enable banks to make loans of up to £25 million to firms with an annual turnover of between £45 million and £500 million.

Loans backed by a guarantee under CLBILS will be offered at commercial rates of interest and further details of the scheme will be announced later this month.

Please find initial details here

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DBS Speeds up Background Checks

The DBS has put temporary measures in place to fast-track emergency checks free of charge. More details here.

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Charity Commission Updates COVID-19 Guidance

The Charity Commission has produced updated guidance for charities on dealing with the COVID-19 crisis. More details here.

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COVID-19 Business Support Update

Now that the government’s Covid-19 business support packages are live, we are gathering feedback on how they are being utilised and how best to help businesses to access the support.

As such, HMRC are delivering a programme of webinars to support employers, employees and the self-employed through this period of disruption. You can watch the first recorded webinar and register for future webinars using this link: bit.ly/HMRCWebinar

Details of the existing business support packages, are summarised in the key links below.

Key links

 

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COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – Support for Businesses & Employers

The London Growth Hub have launched a new portal to support London-based businesses and employers manage and mitigate their exposure to COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Supported by the Mayor of London, the portal is now freely available to all London businesses and brings together essential free resources to help them keep up to date with the latest developments, support offerings and all relevant COVID-19 information, including:

  • Access to book a free 1-2-1 meeting with an expert business adviser (subject to availability)
  • Checklists, factsheets and guides for businesses and employers
  • Information on Government and sector-specific support
  • Information about financial support, grants and schemes
  • Access to COVID-19 webinars, virtual events and external resources
  • The latest news and updates
  • A feedback survey to help us, and our partners, understand the changing needs of businesses

Click here

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The Parents’ Guide to Teaching your Teen Online Safety

The guide offers lots of helpful information such as:

  • A practical guide for parents on how to keep teens safe online, including useful summaries of popular internet apps as well as the types of threats teens could be exposed to online.
  • Safety tips for using apps such as Instagram, TikTok (which has gathered 1 billion users in only two years), YouTube, Snapchat, Twitter and Whatsapp. We also cover advice and safety tips for teens playing online multiplayer video games.
  • Other online safety topics and advice such as sharing personal information, socialising online, cyberbullying, harmful content, influencers, body image and mental health for teens online.
  • Links to additional internet safety resources for parents from well-respected sources such as the NSPCC and the UK government’s own guidelines.

Click here

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Removal of Wrongful Trading Provision

Good news for trustees worried about trading insolvently during the COVID-19 crisis. Read on.

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New Service for Patients Worried about Symptoms Referred by 111 or Their Own Doctor

Special clinics dedicated to people concerned about coronavirus symptoms are being set up in boroughs across West London.

NHS Hammersmith & Fulham Clinical Commissioning Group, the organisation which plans our healthcare services, announced the launch saying: ” We are setting up special GP-run clinics in Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster for patients who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and need to see a doctor. Read on

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Charity Digital: Information & Webinar

How charities can support beneficiaries with digital during Coronavirus

Charities are embracing technological solutions during this period of social distancing, letting people know they have their backs in a crisis. Learn more

 

How digital can help you manage the impact of Coronavirus

Join us for a webinar on 9th April hosted by members of the Charity Digital team as we chat through the digital tools, resources and strategies charities can put place to help manage the impact of COVID-19. Join for free

 

Coronavirus: Best practice for communication and outreach

We examine best practice for clear and calm communication in the midst of a pandemic. Learn more

 

Coronavirus: Charity guide to virtual onboarding

Over the coming weeks and months, some charities may need to hire new staff. How do you do this when your staff is working remotely? We examine successful onboarding practices from organisations with a history of remote working. Learn more

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Volunteer Community Aid Network Launched by H&F Council

H&F CAN is the volunteer community aid network launched by Hammersmith & Fulham Council to support vulnerable residents during the coronavirus pandemic.

Working with the voluntary and charity sector, and alongside the ward and street-level mutual aid groups, H&F CAN offers support to residents who don’t have friends or family close by to help them. Our taskforce of volunteers will help those most in need at the time of their greatest need.

Do you need urgent support with food, medicines, loneliness and isolation?

Or are you worried about a friend, neighbour or relative?

Freephone: 0800 1456095 (9am to 7pm)

Email: can@lbhf.gov.uk

Click here

 

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