Call us today: +44 (0)23 8060 0120 | +1 (914) 664 1900
Make a Payment Client Portal
Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “COVID-19 News”
New restrictions in England aimed at limiting the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 are a ‘setback for businesses’ the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has warned. The new rules, require masks in most public places, including theatres and cinemas. In addition, people will be asked to work from …
There were 160,000 more workers on payrolls in October than in September despite the end of the furlough scheme, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Job vacancies also hit a record high of 1.17 million in the three months to October as firms continued …
The standard three-day waiting time for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) will be reinstated for coronavirus (COVID-19)-related claims from 25 March 2022, unless the government intervenes. Under standard rules in the UK, employers do not have to pay SSP to an employee until the fourth qualifying day in the Period of …
UK economic growth slowed between July and September as supply chain problems hindered the recovery from the pandemic, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by a slightly weaker than expected 1.3%, down from 5.5% in the second quarter, according …
HMRC saw a drop of almost £30 billion in tax revenues in the latest financial year because of the pandemic, according to its annual accounts. In its 2020/21 annual report, HMRC reported that it had collected £608.8 billion in tax revenues, which is down from £636.7 billion collected in 2019/20. …
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has warned that tax rises could threaten the UK’s ongoing recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. According to the FSB, small businesses are coming up against ‘unprecedented strain’, with the cost of doing business higher than ever. Small businesses are also being affected by …
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has committed £500 million to renew job support programmes set up during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic after the end of the furlough scheme last month. The Chancellor made the announcement during his speech at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester. The Kickstart Scheme – which subsidises eligible jobs …
The government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) ends today (30 September) after supporting millions of workers during the pandemic. The government said the wages of more than 11 million people were subsidised for at least some of the scheme’s duration at a cost of around £70 billion. There is now …
The government has opened a £800 million Reinsurance Scheme to cover live events against coronavirus (COVID-19)-related cancellations. The live events sector is worth more than £70 billion annually to the UK economy and supports more than 700,000 jobs, including small businesses and the self-employed. The UK Live Events Reinsurance Scheme …
Coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency finance schemes offered £81.5 billion of finance to almost 1.7 million businesses through the British Business Bank (BBB) during the last financial year. This support, which is not included under the Bank’s core programmes, was evenly distributed across the nations and regions of the UK. In addition, …
The government’s scheme that enables small businesses to recoup statutory sick pay costs caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) will end at the end of September. Legislation ending the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme (SSPRS) was laid before parliament on 9 September. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, employers were obliged to …
At the end of July, 1.6 million people were still on furlough, the lowest level since the start of the pandemic and 340,000 fewer than a month earlier. But older people and the travel sector did less well, with half of eligible travel workers still on the scheme. Since the …
Staff and supply shortages have taken their toll on the UK’s economic recovery this month, according to the latest IHS Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI). August’s PMI hit a six-month low of 55.3, down from 59.2 in July. A score above 50 indicates growth, however the post-pandemic recovery appears to …
The Institute of Directors (IoD) has warned that staff shortages could impact the UK’s economic recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. A survey of over 700 directors carried out by the IoD found that 44% of firms are currently experiencing staff shortages. 65% of businesses attribute the shortages to the …
In June, the Irish government as part of their Economic Recovery Plan 2021, announced that there would be an extension of the period during which tax debts could be warehoused under their Debt Warehousing Scheme. Additionally, the scheme would be expanded to cover Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme overpayments. Originally announced …
A survey carried out by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has revealed that the aftermaths of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and Brexit have caused a ‘huge rise in costs’ for UK businesses. The survey showed that 70% of companies surveyed are considering hiking prices over …
The government is to extend the ban on commercial evictions introduced during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic until March 2022, the Treasury has confirmed. Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Stephen Barclay, said the moratorium for business tenants will not expire at the end of this month as planned and will instead …
Many small businesses will soon be required to begin repaying loans taken out under the government’s Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS). The BBLS helped to support businesses during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and permitted firms to apply for a minimum of £2,000, up to a maximum of £50,000, or 25% …
The UK’s unemployment rate fell slightly to 4.8% in the three months to March despite the country still being in lockdown, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS). It is a drop from the 4.9% rate recorded by the ONS in February. The number of payroll employees increased for …
Data published by insurer PfP has revealed that HMRC received 91,000 calls to report instances of fraud in the first nine months of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. PfP stated that many calls were to report abuse of the government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme, and others were to log …
From 17 May, indoor hospitality businesses are permitted to re-open and households will be allowed to mix as the next step of the government’s roadmap out of the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown takes effect. Under the next stage of the government’s roadmap for lifting England’s lockdown, pubs, restaurants and other …
A survey carried out by the Institute of Directors (IoD) has found that businesses are planning to adopt so-called ‘hybrid’ working once the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown restrictions are fully lifted. The survey of 600 business leaders revealed that 63% of firms intend to shift towards one to four days of …
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has upgraded its forecasts for global and British economic growth this year and next. The OECD said the world economy is likely to expand by 5.6% in 2021. The growth figure for the UK is 5.1%, followed by growth of 4.7% next …
Research carried out by the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) has found that female freelancers have faced a ‘disproportionate financial struggle’ during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. IPSE said that one of the key issues facing female freelancers is late payment. 49% of freelancers reported that they experienced …
HMRC has published details of the eligibility criteria for the fourth grant under the coronavirus (COVID-19) Self-employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), which will cover the period February 2021 to April 2021. At the 2021 Budget it was confirmed that the fourth SEISS grant will be set at 80% of three …
Chancellor Rishi Sunak used the 2021 Budget to announce an investment of more than £100 million into a HMRC taskforce designed to combat coronavirus (COVID-19)-related fraud. The new Taxpayer Protection Taskforce will seek to crack down on criminals who attempt to fraudulently claim money via government COVID-19 financial support schemes. …
Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered his 2021 Budget speech yesterday, outlining a range of financial measures and key changes designed to boost the UK economy once the current coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown ends in England and support businesses. Mr Sunak unveiled a raft of changes for UK businesses, including a new loan …
The Treasury Committee has urged Chancellor Rishi Sunak to outline plans for a long-term tax strategy to help the UK economy recover from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In a new report, the Committee stated that public finances are ‘on an unsustainable long-term trajectory’ as a result of projections of rising …
The government’s coronavirus (COVID-19) support schemes have now been used by almost 1.6 million UK businesses, according to the latest figures from HM Treasury. In total, the schemes have provided almost £73 billion in finance to those businesses. The vast majority has been lent through the Bounce Back Loan Scheme …
Business groups have called on the government to extend its coronavirus (COVID-19) support through to the end of the roadmap for lifting lockdown restrictions. The roadmap will see all pupils in England’s schools return to class from 8 March. Meanwhile, shops, hairdressers, gyms and outdoor hospitality, as well as self-contained …
