With the rapidly changing nature of the COVID-19 outbreak, information and advice from Government can change quickly. For all the latest Government information on COVID-19 and the measures the Government, are taking, please use the following links;
World Health Organisation – advice for the public
Steps we have taken:
We want to reassure all of our clients that we are fully committed to the health of our employees while ensuring minimal disruption to our work and client service during this critical time.
We have the technology in place for all of our staff to work remotely should they need to self-isolate or take leave for other reasons.
We have taken steps to ensure that critical services (e.g. payroll) will remain operational.
Whilst we have not decided to close the office to visitors, we do have the ability to use video conferencing and Skype should you wish to use these tools instead of coming into the office.
Things are likely to continue escalating over the coming months but we will ensure we will continue operating as normal. If you are experiencing any difficulties as a result of Covid-19, please check out the measures that the government have implemented in the budget below. We are also here to help in any way we can.
Some measures you might want to consider for your business:
- Employees – ensure everyone is aware of the latest guidance and protocols are in place for their welfare. Ensure they can work as efficiently as possible in the event that they are required to do so remotely. Restrict non-essential travel, look at home working, flexible working and consider key employee cover.
- Cashflow – consider the impact on your cashflow of disruption to your business. Talk to your funders as soon as possible.
- IT – stress test your IT infrastructure for various scenarios such as increased remote working.
- Finance – review your existing finance / lending documents to ensure you have the flexibility you are likely to need. Arrange additional sources of capital should cashflow become an issue.
- Suppliers – keep communicating with key suppliers to ensure their continuity of supply and source alternative suppliers as back-up.
- Customers – provide reassurance, manage expectations and inform them of your contingency plans.
Budget 2020 support for those affected by COVID-19
In response to the global outbreak of Covid-19, the UK Government introduced a raft of measures in the budget to support businesses experiencing increases in costs or financial disruptions. Measures include:
- Refund for businesses and employers required to access Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
- A 100 per cent Business Rates retail discount for one year and expanded to include leisure and hospitality sectors
- Additional £2.2 billion funding support for those small businesses that pay little or no Business Rates because of Small Business Rate Relief (SBBR)
- A new temporary Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
- All businesses and self-employed people in financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities, may be eligible to receive support with their tax affairs through HMRC’s Time To Pay service
You can find out about this support in more detail on the Government website.