More Free Webinars:

  • Wednesday, 22 April at 10.00 am – Micro Business Support from WorkHounslow
  • Thursday, 30 April at 10.00 – Business Advice from the Task Force
 
The webinars run for 60 minutes and are a great opportunity for you to get some advice/answers in these unprecedented times. Please make a note of the dates and the booking links will be with you shortly.
DAILY BUSINESS BRIEFING FROM GOVERNMENT'S COVID-19 PRESS CONFERENCE (Courtesy of White Label)

The UK will remain under lockdown measures for another three weeks at least, the government has announced today.

“We recognise the economic and social impact the measures are having which is why we have put in place an unprecedented package of support,” said Mr Raab. “We know there are worries for small businesses that remain closed. We get it. We know that it is hard going at this time, but we must keep up this national effort for a while longer. He also added that the UK was not likely to be "back to normal" when restrictions were relaxed, with social distancing measures expected to be required in some form until a vaccine became available.

Companies House support for businesses hit by COVID-19

Changes announced today will help businesses avoid being struck off the Companies House register as they deal with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

Companies House will temporarily pause the strike off process to prevent companies being dissolved. This will give businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak the time they need to update their records and help them avoid being struck off the register.

In addition, companies issued with a late filing penalty due to COVID-19 will have appeals treated sympathetically.
More information available here.

Councils given greater financial relief against cash flow pressures
Councils will be allowed to defer £2.6billion in business rates payments to central government, and £850m in social care grants will be paid up front this month.

These new measures mean councils will be able to defer £2.6bn of payments they are due to make to central government over the next 3 months as part of the business rates retention scheme.

Additionally, the government will bring forward care grant payments to councils worth £850m for both children and adults. These will now all be paid this month, rather than monthly in April, May and June, and will help provide immediate support for core frontline social care services.

More information here .

ADDITIONAL NEW GUIDANCE RELEASED TODAY

Air Navigation Service Provider (NATS) eligible for funding of up to £92m to maintain services
The UK’s enroute air navigation service provider, NATS is eligible for £92million in support from EUROCONTROL, the organisation which manages charging for air navigation services across Europe, enabling it to continue providing services, supporting cargo and repatriation flights as well as ensuring the organisation can return to full operations at the appropriate time, to help the recovery of the aviation sector. More here .

BUSINESS SUPPORT PACKAGES: LATEST INFORMATION & UPDATES

The hub brings together key information for businesses including on funding and support, business closures, your responsibilities as an employer and managing your business during coronavirus. The hub also includes information for self-employed people and sole traders
Covid-19 business support update from the Cabinet Office

Today, the Chancellor has announced that the government-backed loan scheme for large businesses affected by coronavirus has been expanded to cover all viable firms. Now, all viable businesses with turnover of more than £45m will be able to apply for government-backed support. This complements existing support including the Covid Corporate Financing Facility and the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme. More details can be found at  https://bit.ly/loanschemeext


We are also encouraging businesses to explore the support available by highlighting case studies of companies already doing so on Twitter:  twitter.com/cabinetofficeuk  . Please do take a look and, if possible, consider sharing this material. If you know of any businesses in your area who might be willing to provide a case study, please let me know. 
Thank you to everyone who is saving lives by staying at home and not travelling.

Our services are for journeys by NHS staff and other essential workers only. Our message to everyone else is simple: stay at home, don't travel, save lives.

The vast majority of people have followed the instructions of the Mayor and Government and have stopped travelling. The number of people using Tube and rail services has plummeted by around 95% and the number of people using buses by around 85%. This is essential to stop the spread of coronavirus.

It is essential that everyone continues not to travel and does not return to the transport network. 

Our staff are working hard to support the NHS and protect all Londoners. Please help them and continue to follow the instructions not to travel for as long as it takes to defeat coronavirus. 

Stay at home. Don't travel. Save lives.
Covid-19 Fraud watch – click here for much useful information on how to combating fraud.
Hounslow Chamber member: The EPS Partnership can support small businesses affected by the economic disruption caused by the effort to control the spread of the Coronavirus. Please click here.
Good News:
UWL takes over students' leases
(courtesy of The Chiswick Calendar)

The University of West London has announced it will take over the leases and third-term rent for students in its halls of residence at the West London campus.

Paragon student lets are managed by charity Housing Association Notting Hill/Genesis. The students' rent for the summer term was due on Wednesday.

With many students having returned home and others unable to return due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, the looming rent payment has been a source of anxiety. 
Missing the commute?
Might impulse buy this tent to get the authentic experience from home.
Hounslow Chamber of Commerce is the primary support, networking, and representation organisation in west London for SMEs.

We support the interests, the commercial aspirations and the investment for some 18,000 firms - from Chiswick to Feltham, Heathrow to Osterley and Brentford to Bedfont - the Chamber is the voice for all businesses located in the borough.