EU transition: time is running out
Webinar - 25th November, 10:00 am for 60 minutes
We are very pleased that our panellists will be:
- Alan Rides MD Hounslow Chamber of Commerce - Former DIT Trade Officer
- Gary Hayes - International Trade Manager, Surrey Chambers
- Nauzar Manekshaw - Director – Branduin Business Support
There are new rules for businesses and citizens from 1 January 2021.
- Exporting to the EU
- Importing from the EU
- International Trade paperwork for the EU
- International Trade – Costs / Tariff implications
Followed by Q&As
Sponsored by
|
|
Tougher Tiers post lockdown in COVID Winter Plan
(courtesy of White Label)
The Prime Minister has published the government’s COVID Winter Plan, setting out a toughened Tier system which will follow the end of national restrictions on December 2.
The COVID Winter Plan means that the ‘stay at home’ order will end from December 2 and shops, gyms, personal care, and the leisure sector will reopen. Collective worship, weddings and outdoor sports can resume, and people will not be limited to seeing one other person in outdoor public spaces. Instead, the rule of six will again apply.
England will move back into a regional, tiered approach with tougher restrictions than before. For example, in Tier 1 people will be encouraged to minimise travel and work from home where possible.
In Tier 2, alcohol may only be served in hospitality settings as part of a substantial meal. In Tier 3, hospitality will close except for delivery and takeaway, and indoor entertainment venues, such as cinemas, casinos and bowling alleys, must also close. In Tier 3 areas, all pubs and restaurants will have to close.
The Tiers will be uniform, without negotiations on specific measures, and an announcement on which regions will fall into the various tiers is expected on Thursday. Tiering allocations will be reviewed every 14 days, and tiering regulations will expire in law at the end of March.
The Prime Minister said the government would be using three tools to tackle the virus – the toughened Tiers, more testing - including rapid community testing in areas of greater infection - and the rollout of vaccines, although it may take many months for sufficient people to be inoculated against COVID-19.
He added that ministers were continuing to work with the Devolved Administrations on plans for a temporary relaxation of restrictions over Christmas.
You can read the full COVID Winter Plan here
|
|
Limited elite and grassroots sport to return
Supporters will be welcomed back into stadia and sports venues in limited numbers from December 2, in a major boost for fans, professional sports clubs and elite sport events. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden announced today that organised grassroots sport is also allowed to resume from the end of the current lockdown and gyms and leisure centres will be able to reopen across all tiers.
|
|
Heathrow announces ambitious plan to support local recovery post COVID-19 |
|
- Heathrow and Lord David Blunkett have published the ‘Heathrow Local Recovery Plan’, in partnership with key local stakeholders
- The plan sets out a clear agenda for the recovery of Heathrow's local economies after new research warned COVID-19 could result in 16,000 fewer jobs around the airport by 2021
- The plan makes two policy asks of the UK Government – to temporarily introduce flexibility into how the Apprenticeship Levy can be used, and to provide support through reskilling and retraining opportunities to help people to stay in or find new employment
- The plan will be implemented and monitored by the newly created Heathrow Local Recovery Forum, chaired by Lord Blunkett
Following four months of work and collaboration with local stakeholders, Heathrow and Lord Blunkett have today released the airport's plan to drive local economic growth post-pandemic. The local economic recovery plan comes at a critical time, as new research from Oxford Economics reveals that there could be 16,000 fewer jobs in the communities around Heathrow in 2021 versus 2019 as a result of the devastating economic impacts of COVID-19.
Heathrow’s action plan has been developed alongside local councils, enterprise partnerships, education providers, business groups and chambers of commerce and will establish a new Heathrow Local Recovery Forum chaired by Lord Blunkett to drive forward the plan’s recommendations.
Amongst the plan’s recommendations, Heathrow has created a dedicated Heathrow Job Centre Plus Service in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions to support colleagues across Team Heathrow and the local community to access job search support and careers, information, advice and guidance. The plan has also identified two policy asks, which request greater flexibility in the Government’s employment support processes. The plans asks the UK Government to temporarily introduce flexibility into how the Apprenticeship Levy can be used, and to provide support through reskilling and retraining opportunities to help people to stay in or find new employment.
Heathrow is leading the charge to ensure aviation restarts safely and at pace, in order to protect the thousands of local livelihoods that rely on the airport for work. Heathrow has taken proactive action to help encourage the introduction of passenger testing within the UK’s airports. Heathrow has established trials of both the Government's official PCR test and a number of alternative "Rapid Point of Care" tests, in order to aid Government planning and demonstrate that passenger testing provides a safe method to re-open air travel and kick-start the national and local economies.
Heathrow also recognises the significant threat posed by the Government’s proposed end to duty-free shopping on local jobs and is working to ensure the Government reconsiders its plan to abolish tax-free shopping. The airport has joined forces with World Duty Free and Global Blue to Judicially Review the Government's intention to both abolish the VAT Retail Export Scheme (RES) from the UK and withdraw airside tax free shopping in all UK airports. Heathrow will continue to work with Treasury Ministers and officials to find solutions to support the UK's competitiveness as a shopping destination and airport retail, as it recovers from its worst financial year on record.
John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow Chief Executive Officer has said:
“The impact of COVID-19 on the aviation industry and the communities we support has been unprecedented. To combat the significant damaged caused by the aviation downturn, Heathrow, in partnership with many of our local stakeholders, has produced the Local Recovery Plan. This initiative sets out the commitments we are making to ensure we protect the future security of the economies and communities who rely on Heathrow. As we work through this crisis, I believe it is more important than ever for Heathrow and our partners to work collaboratively, to ensure that as we rebuild, we provide a pathway that allows Heathrow and its communities to build back better.”
Lord David Blunkett, Chair of the Heathrow Local Recovery Forum has said:
“The impact of COVID-19 on Heathrow has had a devastating knock-on effect on the local communities who heavily rely upon the airport. The future of local livelihoods and economies is of paramount importance to Heathrow, with hundreds of local businesses relying on the airport to export their goods and services. This is about real people, the wellbeing of individuals and families as well as retaining the business and economic capacity to make recovery a reality. In simple terms, a bridge from where we are to a future which will require the skills, innovation and commitment of everyone. In order to empower a successful recovery, Heathrow has worked collaboratively with local stakeholders and the end result is the creation of the Heathrow Local Recovery Plan. This plan will form the first crucial step in surpassing the impacts of COVID-19 and I know will ensure we rebuild the economy in an innovative and sustainable way.”
|
|
Reminder - Time limits for furlough claims from 1 November
There are new stricter time limits for making claims under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough). These apply during the extension of the scheme to 31 March.
Claims made from 1 November 2020 must be submitted by 11:59pm, 14 calendar days after the month you are claiming for. When this time falls on a weekend or a bank holiday, claims should be submitted on the next working day.
The deadlines are summarised below:
|
|
The guidance states that HMRC may accept a claim made after the relevant deadline but only if the employer has a reasonable excused for failing to make the claim in time. The claim must be submitted without delay after the missed deadline.
Examples of what will be regarded as a reasonable excuse include:
- your partner or another close relative died shortly before the claim deadline
- you had an unexpected stay in hospital that prevented you from dealing with your claim
- you had a serious or life-threatening illness, including Coronavirus related illnesses, which prevented you from making your claim (and no one else could claim for you)
- a period of self-isolation prevented you from making your claim (and no one else could make the claim for you)
- your computer or software failed just before or while you were preparing your online claim
- service issues with HMRC online services prevented you from making your claim
- a fire, flood or theft prevented you from making your claim
- postal delays that you could not have predicted prevented you from making your claim
- delays related to a disability you have prevented you from making your claim
- a HMRC error prevented you from making your claim
Our employment law team are on hand to help you to navigate the guidance and assist you with your employment related queries. If you have any questions or need any advice please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Follow us on Twitter for the latest employment news @MBEmployment
Partner | Employment
023 8071 8094
|
|
CJRS update (courtesy of HMRC)
You can now claim for periods starting 1 November under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), which is running until the end of March for all parts of the UK.
You will still need to submit all final claims for periods up to 31 October on or before 30 November.
Make sure you have the latest information by joining the live Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme webinar, which includes:
- who can claim
- who you can claim for
- how to calculate what you can claim
- how to make a claim for all periods.
We will continue to update our webinars to reflect the latest information as it becomes available.
We are also running monthly webinars on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme. Get the latest information on:
- who can claim
- who you can claim for
- how to make a claim
- what you may be entitled to, and more.
You can ask questions during all our live webinars using the on-screen text box.
Our webinars are regularly updated to provide the latest government guidance on changes as they develop.
|
|
AIA limit to remain at £1m until 1 January 2022
The UK government is extending the £1m annual investment allowance cap for a further year in a bid to stimulate investment. The annual investment allowance (AIA) had been due to revert to £200,000 on 1 January 2021 following a two-year period of being raised to £1m.
*The AIA is available for expenditure on most plant and machinery, the primary exception being expenditure on cars.
Digital signatures for CGT relief
HMRC has updated its guidance on capital gains tax (CGT) relief on gifts and similar transactions confirming that it will accept digital signatures on the claim for hold-over relief form. The form needs to be signed by the transferor and the transferee, however, in light of measures to stop the spread of coronavirus HMRC has confirmed it will accept digital signatures until further notice.
Check updated Guidance
|
|
We know how hard the pandemic's been for organisations like yours. Whether you're a company with strong foundations, emerging SME or a non-profit organisation, you're likely to have been challenged by lockdown, restrictions, big changes in supply or demand, and much more. You may still be adjusting to the new normal, or not know where to turn.
That's why at Brunel we're launching our Business Resilience Fund. It's a way our academics can work with organisations like yours to help you adapt to the challenges of the pandemic, and for you to become more resilient for your recovery and future growth.
|
|
Help every small business get a free website at this difficult time - UENI wants to help thousands of new businesses get online, in a time they most need it.
|
|
Wednesday, 9th December at 6:00 pm.
The cost is £29 plus VAT and booking fee per person for a Standard Ticket, this ticket is just for the Ceremony.
I do hope you decide to enter into the spirit of the online evening, to mark the end of 2020, with an enjoyable evening, albeit remotely, to boost the morale of our companies in this challenging current climate.
|
|
November issue of Let's Talk Business out now
|
|
West London Local Chambers & Hounslow Chamber of Commerce are the primary support, networking, and representation organisation in west London for SMEs.
We support the interests, the commercial aspirations and the investment from businesses in Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham - the Chamber is the voice for all businesses located in the borough
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
