SCC & Scottish Government Update 17th March
17th March 2020
Commenting on the additional covid-19 support measures for businesses announced today by the UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Dr Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce said:
“The additional support measures announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak are essential if businesses are to survive and will provide immediate cashflow support to businesses that urgently require it. We now need the Scottish and UK Governments to provide access to these funds quickly and as easily as possible – any delays could lead to further job losses and we must avoid this at all costs.
“This is an unprecedented situation for business, communities and our society. We need to constantly review the business and economic impacts and ensure companies are supported quickly and with the relevant measures. We are ready to accept the UK Government’s invitation to work with them to design a system that ensures micro businesses and the self-employed also have tailored support as these jobs are just as important to our economy and they are already experiencing major income reductions.
“We fully appreciate we are in unchartered waters, but we are already seeing great examples of individuals, communities, and businesses all doing as much as possible to help one another. Let’s ensure that businesses are fully supported to continue getting through this difficult time.”
UK Government Announcement: Chancellor Rishi Sunak today announced further measures of support for the economy and for businesses. After major lobbying efforts from Scottish Chambers of Commerce Network and business groups, these measures will support many of our members. However, we have been clear that the situation and economic impact must be reviewed daily to ensure the support provided is quick, accessible and relevant.
Further measures of support announced by UKGOV today:
• The UK Government will provide £330 billion of guarantees, worth 15% of GDP, for anyone that needs support to access a government loan or credit on attractive terms - government will pay loans if companies cannot repay banks
• Support will be delivered through two schemes, one for large business and the other for SMEs
• For large businesses, a new lending facility has been agreed with the Bank of England
• For small businesses, UK gov will now provide loans up to £5 million, extending the Coronavirus Interruption Scheme - Both loan schemes will be up and running by the start of next week
• Treasury will be convening virtual meetings with industry reps shortly to discuss further tailored support solutions across the UK
• UK gov providing additional cash grant of 25k for pubs, clubs and theatre for those who don’t have insurance
• Extending the business rates holiday to all firms in the most affected sectors, retail, hospitality and leisure, regardless of their rateable value, for 12 months (not applicable to firms in Scotland as business rates is devolved to the Scottish Government.
• Those with properties of a rateable value less than 51k, they can get the 25k cash grant too
• Increasing other cash grants up to 10k for the smallest firms
• Will discuss a support package specifically for airlines and airports "in the coming days".
• Devolved governments will receive an additional £3 billion worth of support
• Mortgage lenders will now offer a three-month mortgage holiday
• In coming days, Treasury will work with trade unions and business groups to develop new forms of employment support to protect jobs and income
• More to come in next few days
In this section
- Scottish Government Daily Update 24th March 2021
- BlueSky Experiences : COVID-19 As A Catalyst for Change Webinar 30 September
- Scottish Government SME Loan for food and drink businesses!
- URGENT update from NHS Tayside about a COVID-19 Outbreak at 2Sisters in Coupar Angus
- Waste sector grants offered for Covid-19 adaptations- Up to £10,000 per site
- Spain Quarantine Rules: An employment Law Insight
- General Guidelines
- UK government: Government launches £200m funding for sustainable COVID-19 Business Recovery, 27 June 2020
- Scottish Government: Lockdown begins to ease in Phase 1, 28 May 2020
- Scottish Government: COVID-19 Budget Revision, 27 May 2020
- Scottish Government: Sector Guidance for Easing Lockdown, 26 May 2020
- Scottish Government: COVID-19 Funding Plea, 23 May 2020
- Scottish Government: Expansion of COVID-19 Testing, 18 May 2020
- Data Protection and Privacy During the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Scottish Government: Second Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill, 11 May 2020
- Scottish Government: SME Support Doubles to £90 million, 8 May 2020
- Redundancy during Coronavirus Part 4: How do I calculate redundancy payments?
- Redundancy during Coronavirus: Part 3: How do I consult with employees who are risk of redundancy?
- Scottish Government: Emergency Loan Fund for SME House Builders, 7 May 2020
- UK Government: Business Rates Revaluation Postponed, 6 May 2020
- Scottish Government: New Powers over CAP, 5 May 2020
- Scottish Government: Preparing for Economic Recovery, 5 May 2020
- Uk Government: Self Employed Invited to Get Ready to Make Their Claims for COVID-19 Support, 4 May 2020
- UK Governement: Funding five new testing facilities in Scotland, including Perth, 29 April 2020
- Scottish Government: Rapid Coronavirus Research. More than 50 Scottish Studies to Tackle Virus and its Impact, 28 April 2020
- Scottish Government: Securing Vital COVID-19 Supplies for Scotland, 24 April 2020
- Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme Update and New Support for Smaller Businesses
- Aberdein Considine: View the latest response to Coronavarius
- Redundancy During Coronavirus: Part 2: How Do I Select Employees for Redundancy? 23 April 2020
- Scottish Government: Lifeline Support for Business Confirmed, 21 April 2020
- Scottish Government: Universal Credit. People Being Urged To Access All Support, 21 April 2020
- Scottish Government: COVID-19 Impact on Scotland's Economy, 21 April 2020
- Redundancy During Coronavirus: Part 1: How Do I Deal With Collective Consultation?, 21 April 2020
- Scottish Government: Call for Accelerated Business Support, 21 April 2020
- UK Government: Billion £ Support Package for Innovative Firms hit by COVID-19, 20 April 2020
- Scottish Government: Extend Brexit Transition during COVID-19 crisis, 20 April 2020
- Scottish Government: Advisory Group on Economic Recovery, 17 April 2020
- Scottish Government: Thousands of Businesses Benefit from Support Grants, 17 April 2020
- UK Government: Chancellor extends furlough scheme to end of June, 17 April 2020
- What Coronavirus Act means for Commerical Landlords
- UK Government: Universal Credit claimants to verify identity through Government Gateway, 16 April 2020
- UK Government: Councils given greater financial relief against cash flow pressures, 16 April 2020
- Scottish Government: Additional Support for Business, including additional £100m for Self-Employed, 15 April 2020
- UK Government: Magnox donates 66,000 items of PPE to support coronavirus response, 15 April 2020
- UK Government: Furlough scheme cut-off date extended to 19 March, 15 April 2020
- UK Government: Job Retention Scheme, 15 April 2020
- Scottish Government: New Mental Health Support, 14 April 2020
- UK Government Response: Commission on Human Medicines: Advice on Ibuprofen and Coronavirus, 14 April 2020
- Scottish Government: National Helpline to Support Those at High COVID-19 Risk, 13 April 2020
- UK Government: Scottish Secretary Welcomes Additional Money to Help Scotland Tackle Coronavirus, 13 April 2020
- Scottish Government: Transport Community to Help COVID-19 Sufferers, 12 April 2020
- Scottish Government: New Measures to Protect Business Tenants, 10 April 2020.
- Scottish Chamber of Commerce: COVID-19 Update
- Scottish Government: Skills matching service to help rural business. 09.04.20
- Scottish Government: Additional COVID-19 Daily Data Published 08.04.20
- UK Government: Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter to the manufacturing sector 08.04.20
- UK Government: Letter from the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Alok Sharma, to those working in retail. 08.04.20
- Scottish Business Community calls for clarity, consistency and cooperation in COVID-19 response 3 April 2020
- Help find new ways too ease global disruption: apply for funding. 3 April 2020
- UK Export Finance to offer export insurance in all major markets in response to Coronavirus (COVID-19). 3 April 2020
- Chancellor strengthens support on offer for business as first government-backed loans reach firms in need
- Scottish Business Community calls for clarity, consistency and cooperation in COVID-19 response. 3 April 2020
- Scottish Govenment Help with non-domestic rates in Scotland during coronavirus (COVID-19) Last updated: 2 April 2020
- Coronavirus: Rishi Sunak announcement on UK government aid for self-employed
- UK Government Self-employment and Universal Credit
- Scottish Government Coronavirus (COVID-19): business and social distancing guidance. Published 25.03.20
- Scottish Government Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for businesses on offering support. Published 24 March 2020
- 20th March Update
- SCC & Scottish Government Update 18th March
- SCC & Scottish Government Update 17th March
- PKC Coronavirus (Covid-19) Guidance
- UK Government Coronavirus (Covid-19) Link
- Scottish Government Corona Virus (Covid-19) Link
- NEW Find Business Support in response to Coronavirus - from Scottish Enterprise Source
- Coronavirus: £320m rescue package for business from Scottish government - BBC Sourced
- Guidance & Quick Links
- Helpline announed by Fiona Hyslop, Economy Secretary - Sunday 15th March 2020