Please see the following messages: from HMRC regarding the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme; from the DIT detailing their latest webinar sessions and from First Actuarial, announcing their free webinar on personal and financial well being.
Message from HMRC regarding the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)
It’s nearly a month since the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) opened and many businesses will be preparing to make another claim in order to receive money by the end of May.
To ensure you receive a payment by the end of May, you need to apply by Wednesday 20 May.
When you make a claim through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, you’ll receive the money within six working days. After making a claim, please keep all records and calculations, in case we need to contact you to discuss these.
Update on the scheme
On 12 May, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that the CJRS scheme will be extended until the end of October. The scheme will continue in its current form until the end of July.
From 1 August to the end of October, we will introduce more flexibility so employers will be able to bring their furloughed employees back to work part-time and contribute to paying employees' wages while still receiving support from the scheme. These measures will apply across all regions and sectors in the UK economy, and we expect to publish more details of how this will work by the end of May.
Guidance and support
In the meantime, more information is available online to help you apply – go to GOV.UK and search 'Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme'. Online guidance has recently been updated with:
Our webinars are also available to help you, and there are two about the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme on our YouTube channel 'HMRCgovuk' – an overview of the scheme and a detailed session about how to make a claim. You can book a place on a live webinar by going to GOV.UK and searching 'help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus'.
Please remember that grants are only intended for the payment of employees' salaries and related National Insurance, and pension contributions. Payments may be withheld or need to be repaid in full if based on dishonest or inaccurate information or found to be fraudulent, and we may call you to check the details of your claim.
Protect yourself from scams
Stay vigilant about scams, which may mimic government messages as a way of appearing authentic and unthreatening. Don't give out private information or reply to text messages, and don't download attachments in emails you weren't expecting. Search 'scams' on GOV.UK for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact. You can also forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599.
Message from the DIT regarding their free webinars
Take a look at this week's highlights in DIT's COVID-19 webinar series. Their experts will provide guidance and practical advice to help support your business and respond to the challenges and potential disruption caused by COVID-19.
Logistics and movement of goods during COVID-19
Join this webinar with DIT and the British Freight Transport Association to receive expert advice on which routes to market, freight services and that costs still exist or are likely to change, to help you export during this time of uncertainty.
Date: Wednesday 20 May
Time: 10am GMT
Duration: 1 hour
Register now
Risk management when considering new markets
This webinar is designed to provide you with practical steps on how you can create an export risk management plan to help you increase your resilience when exporting to new markets.
Date: Thursday 21 May
Time: 10am GMT
Duration: 1 hour
Register now
Managing disruption of supply chains during COVID-19
This webinar with DIT and the Federation of Small Businesses will provide you with practical advice to help you respond to international supply chain disruptions during COVID-19.
Date: Friday 22 May
Time: 2.30pm GMT
Duration: 1 hour
Register now
Message from First Actuarial, announcing their free webinar
First Actuarial are offering a Covid-19 well being webinar recording, available to all UK employers and their staff, free of charge.
Designed to help your employees manage their personal finances and mental health, it offers top tips for managing money and points to personal well being guidance from leading mental health organisations. Please see here for further information Covid-19 financial wellbeing flyer v1.0
