Hounslow Chamber webinars
All are free, run for 60 minutes and start at 10:00 am:


4 th June - Business Task Force -
We are pleased that Cllr. Guy Lambert, Cabinet Member for Highways, Recycling and Companies is able to be with us.


11 th June - Business Task Force / Structuring for re-emergence -
We are pleased that Cllr. Katherine Dunne, Cabinet Member for Communities and Climate Emergency is able to be with us.


If you have missed our webinars, you can watch them now:  https://hounslowchamber.org.uk/10015
We are pleased to announce that we are launching a new Discretionary Business Support Grant for small and microbusiness in Hounslow borough from week commencing 8 June.

The new Grant is intended to aide those businesses who have so far not been able to benefit from funding from central government during the coronavirus pandemic.

The application process for the fund will go live week commencing 8 June via an application form on our website.

In order to qualify small and microbusinesses must meet a stringent set of criteria designed to target the funding at those businesses who have suffered the greatest loss of income as a result of Covid-19. Hounslow has been awarded £1.8m and will be distributing grants of £25,000, £10,000 and £5,000 depending on businesses property costs, this will provide support to an estimated 200 businesses. 

Full details of the scheme and the criteria required are provided in the Discretionary Business Support Grant Policy May 2020 which is available here https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/info/20070/business/2166/discretionary_business_support_grant

We are letting you know about the new grant today, so that you have time to visit the website and check the criteria that will need to be met, in readiness for app the process and issue the funds to the approved businesses by the end of June.

Hounslow Council is anticipating a high level of interest in this grant scheme and is unable to provide further guidance beyond the eligibility criteria already published. This decision has been taken so as not to prejudice the applications evaluation process.
Changes to lockdown guidelines  (courtesy of Hounslow Council)

From 1 st June, groups of up to six people from different households are allowed to meet outside, provided they stay two metres apart from each other. This can include in gardens and private outdoor spaces, as long as the two metre distancing is maintained. However, they must not meet in each other’s homes.

Outdoor markets and car showrooms are also now permitted to open.  

Read the Government’s updated Q&A document on what you can and cannot do.
The Government’s overarching guidance remains the same. Everyone must:
  • Stay at home as much as possible
  • Work from home if you can
  • Limit contact with other people
  • Keep your distance if you go out (two metres apart where possible)
  • Wash your hands regularly

Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms of a high temperature, or a new, continuous cough or a loss of, or change to your sense of smell or taste.
Update from the Cabinet Office

Last month DfE launched The Skills Toolkit, a new online platform giving people easy access to free, high-quality digital and numeracy courses to help them build up their skills, progress in work and boost their job prospects. 

DofE are planning some new content to launch this week to celebrate a month on, and will be sharing the successes so far as well as welcoming four new courses to the platform.

Focussing on the skills many employers need the most, The Skills Toolkit is a first step towards recovery, helping to boost the nation’s growth and productivity.

Please click here new toolkit

As nurseries and schools have begun opening their doors, the Department for Education has updated its guidance on what parents and carers need to know about schools and other education settings during the coronavirus outbreak.

Full details of the guidance can be found here:  https://bit.ly/ParentsGuidance.
Test and Trace – please click here
Garner & Hancock’s free weekly seminar is on a topic which a lot of employees are asking about.

'Can my employers change the terms of my employment contract?'
 
Our panel will include Vinay Tanna and Daniel Flynn from our dispute resolution department who will be guiding you through questions such as:

  • Can employers without consultation change my contract terms?
  • Can they cut my wages?
  • Can they change my holidays?
  • Can they withdraw benefits?
  • Is this legal?
  • What can I do about it.

Wednesday 3rd June 2020 at 3.00 pm - Zoom Meeting
Our next short, straight talking and practical webinar focuses on how to take your business to the next level with forecasting and finance.

Headed up by Menzies Forecasting specialist Sadie Channing, this 20 minute masterclass will help you understand the importance of cashflow forecasting, learn what you can do within your business to reduce the risk and increase your profitability.  

BRIGHTER THINKING FEATURES
Good News:
R rate in London 30/5/20

Hounslow and Ealing lowest in London 0.25
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.