Support for business during the Covid-19 pandemic
With the support of the Business & Enterprise team at North Tyneside Council we have put together have put together some guidance, FAQs & links to the Government website in an easy to access format. The Government has announced a number of measures to support businesses and their employees during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. Information can be found here Many of these schemes are now closed or are being withdrawn from 1 July 2021. Support included/s:- Financial support packages for businesses, and on-going financial management measures
- Advice on how to operate a business & social distancing
- Support for employees
Living with Covid Plan
- Face coverings are no longer mandatory in any settings
- Employees are no longer required to legally self-isolate if they receive a positive test for Covid-19
- Self-isolation support payments will end on 24 February. If employees were required to self-isolate before 24 February, they can make a claim for a further 42 days. Statutory Sick Pay claims can still be made.
If you haven’t already, please make sure you have read all the guidance and legislation and make any changes that are required for your business or service.
Government Financial Support
As of 1 July 2021, all national Government grant schemes pre-December 2021 and the Job Retention Scheme are now closed. This includes Local Restrictions Support Grants and Restart Grants.
On 31 March 2022, all Additional Restrictions Grant schemes closed.
Business Rates Holidays
After June 2021, business rates will be discounted for the remaining tax year 2021-22. There’ll be a 66 per cent business rates reduction from 1 July 2021 to 31 March 2022, up to a maximum of £2 million for closed businesses.
Nurseries in England had a year off paying business rates for tax year 2020-21, and will continue to be exempt until 30 June 2021. They will then get a further discount and pay one third of the usual rate until March 2022.
More information can be found here
Commercial Eviction Ban
These bans were due to end on 30th June however, this has now been extended to 25 March 2022. This is to ensure that the sectors who are unable to open have enough time to come to an agreement with their landlord without the threat of eviction.
More information can be found here
Support for business in North Tyneside
Business Advice
Please email the team at [email protected], they will respond to you during normal working hours 9am-5pm, weekdays.
North Tyneside Business Forum
The Forum members also have a vast amount of business experience between them and our Facebook page will continue to offer practical business advice and guidance to our members.
We’re available on Facebook messenger, web chat and [email protected] Mon-Fri from 9am-5pm.
Please urge your fellow North Tyneside businesses to join the Forum so that they too can benefit from this important communications platform.
Kickstart Scheme
Kickstart is a new Government initiative that provides funding to employers to create 6-month job placements for 16-24 year olds on Universal Credit. Additional funding is available to employers to ensure the young person is fully supported and leaves the scheme prepared to enter work.
You can find out more about the Kickstart Scheme here
Employers who can offer 30 or more placements can apply directly to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Those unable to offer 30 placements can apply through a Kickstart gateway.
The North of Tyne Combined Authority is our recommended Kickstart Gateway and we actively encourage you to register your interest with them here
If you would like to chat to someone about creating a position and whether it is right for your business, please contact the Employment & Skills team on 0191 643 2111 or email [email protected].