Next week, both the Job Retention and the Hospitality, Tourism and Retail Schemes open for applications.
Both schemes will open for applications on Monday 20th April 2020.
I have listed below the detailed information you will need to apply for the Coronavirus Job Retention (Furlough) Scheme.
At the end of the update there is a request from a local group who provide scrubs for Local Health Workers and I hope you can help.
I hope you find these updates of value. If you have any queries which you can’t get answered, let us know. If I can, I will cover them in our next update.
You can contact me at:
colm@newrychamber.com
Stay safe.
Colm Shannon,
Chief Executive Officer
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade
INFO YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR THE JOB RETENTION (FURLOUGH) SCHEME BEFORE YOU MAKE A CLAIM
Check that you have the following, as you will need it before making a claim:
1. A Government Gateway (GG) ID and Password.
If you don’t already have a GG account, you can apply here.
2. Be Enrolled For PAYE Online.
If you aren’t registered yet, you can enrol online here.
WHEN YOU MAKE A CLAIM
Prepare the following information, as you’ll need it to make a claim:
1. The bank account number and sort code, you’d like HMRC to use when it pays your claim.
2. The name and phone number of the person in your business for HMRC to call with any questions.
3. Your Self-Assessment UTR (Unique Tax Reference), Company UTR or CRN (Company Registration Number).
4. The following info for each furloughed employee you will be claiming for:
- Name
- National Insurance Number
- The Total Furlough Period
- The Total Amount Being Claimed
5. PAYE/Employee Number.
- If you have fewer than 100 furloughed staff, you will need to input information directly into the system for each employee.
- If you have 100 or more furloughed staff, you will need to upload a file with information for each employee, .xls .xlsx .csv . ods file types will be accepted.
USING AN AGENT TO MAKE YOUR CLAIM
If you use an agent who is authorised to act for you for PAYE purposes, they will be able to make a claim on your behalf (using their ID and password), so speak to them now.
Also, you will need to tell your agent which UK bank account you want the grant to be paid into, in order to ensure the funds are quickly as possible to you.
You should keep all records and calculations relating to your claims.
However, if you are a file-only agent (files your RTI return but doesn’t act for you in other matters), they won’t be able to make a claim for you and you’ll need the information listed above from them to make the claim yourself.
FURTHER GUIDANCE ON THE SCHEME
For further guidance on the scheme, see how to claim for wage costs through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme here.
You can also view a recorded webinar about the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme on the HMRC YouTube Channel here.
ELIGIBILITY DATE CHANGED TO 19TH MARCH 2020
Staff originally had to be employed on 28th February to qualify for the scheme.
New guidance has confirmed the eligibility date has been extended to 19th March.
Employers can claim for furloughed employees that were employed and on their PAYE payroll on or before 19th March.
This means that the employee must have been notified to HMRC through an RTI submission notifying payment in respect of that employee on or before 19th March.
£25,000 HOSPITALITY, TOURISM & RETAIL GRANT SCHEME
Applications to the scheme will be OPEN on Monday 20th April 2020 and will take around 15 working days to process, subject to verification of eligibility.
Information will be available this Monday on nibusinessinfo and Newry Chamber will also provide an update on Monday. The Department for the Economy has stated that more than 4,000 business will be eligible for this grant.
This scheme will close for applications on Wednesday 20th May 2020.
WATER RATES
Water and sewerage bills for business and non-domestic customers are to be held back until July 2020.
Non-domestic charges for water and sewerage which would have been billed during the postponement period will be included in bills issued once billing resumes.
A planned annual increase in non-domestic water and sewerage charges which had been due to be introduced on 1st April 2020, will be deferred and reviewed in September 2020.
UPDATE FOR LANDLORDS & TENANTS
The Department for Communities (DfC) has produced guidance that covers key issues that landlords and tenants might experience as an effect of COVID-19.
The document includes guidance on:
- what to do if your tenant is struggling to pay rent and falls into arrears;
- what landlords can do about mortgage repayments;
- as a landlord should I stop charging rent during the coronavirus outbreak;
- property access and health and safety obligations;
- advice on carrying out emergency repairs;
- what about landlord’s legal obligation to provide regular gas safety inspections;
- what about catching the coronavirus;
- information on minimising moves within rented accommodation;
- eviction proceedings;
- links to further detailed information and sources of advice and assistance from the Housing Executive, Housing Rights and the Public Health Agency; and
- additional sources of finance, including help with housing costs and how to access assistance with mortgage holidays.
DfC will keep this guidance under review and update as matters develop.
Access Guidance for Private Rented Sector Landlords & Tenants here.
NMDDC 2ND QUARTER ECONOMIC OUTPUT TO FALL BY 38%
The Centre for Progressive Policy (CPP) has suggested that economic output in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Area could fall by 38% in the 2nd quarter of this year.
This is slightly ahead of the UK rate of 35% and below Mid-Ulster at 45%, which of all the District Councils in NI, is estimated to take the greatest economic hit.
The CPP used an Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) scenario to all UK Authorities.
You can read the full report here.
HELP WITH SCRUBS FOR HEALTH & COMMUNITY CARE WORKERS
Newry has its very own group, Scrubs for NHS frontline workers in CAH & Daisy Hill, administered by Aisling Ó Mhothlaigh and Caitriona Mac An Ghalloglaigh.
You can view their Facebook page here.
They make scrubs primarily for Daisy Hill, Hospice, Community Trust workers and Craigavon Area Hospital.
This group is smaller and they work with new fabric, poly cotton only to ensure the fabric can meet the laundry requirements NHS Scrubs are subjected to. Because the group is smaller, they feel they can control the ordering and distribution more efficiently to support those in need of Scrubs.
Their focus is Newry and Mourne, a Newry Group for Newry people.
They are however in need of Fabric, they have a fundraising page.
Money left over when finished will be donated to the Hospice.