There have been a number of important updates in recent days.
On Friday, the Chancellor provided further details on the Furlough Scheme.
If you are planning to furlough staff who haven’t been furloughed yet, 10th June 2020 is the cut off date to add new employees to the Furlough Scheme.
I have provided further information below, together with information on an extension to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
The Economy Minister, Diane Dodds MLA has also just announced details of when hotels and other tourist accommodation can reopen.
This week’s Newry Chamber Online Webinar and Q&A will focus on the topic of “Preparing The Workplace For Reopening.”
Our President, Emma Mullen-Marmion will be joined by Stephen Hynes, mac-group.
Further information on how to register is below.
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.
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colm@newrychamber.com
Colm Shannon,
Chief Executive Officer
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade
UPDATE: FURLOUGH SCHEME
On Friday, the Chancellor made some important changes to the Furlough Scheme.
From Wednesday 1st July 2020, employers can bring back to work employees that have previously been furloughed for any amount of time and any shift pattern, while still being able to claim CJRS grant for their normal hours not worked.
When claiming the CJRS grant for furloughed hours employers will need to report and claim for a minimum period of a week.
The scheme will close to new entrants from Tuesday 30th June 2020.
From this point onwards, employers will only be able to furlough employees that they have furloughed for a full 3 week period to Tuesday 30th June 2020.
This means that the final date by which an employer can furlough an employee for the first time will be Wednesday 10th June 2020, in order for the current 3 week furlough period to be completed by Tuesday 30th June 2020.
Employers will have until Friday 31st July 2020 to make any claims in respect of the period to Tuesday 30th June 2020.
If you are reviewing your workforce plans, it is important that you take account of the Wednesday 10th June 2020 date.
The following will apply for the period people are furloughed:
- June and July: The government will pay 80% of wages up to a cap of £2,500 as well as employer National Insurance (ER NICS) and pension contributions. Employers are not required to pay anything.
- August: The government will pay 80% of wages up to a cap of £2,500. Employers will pay ER NICs and pension contributions – for the average claim, this represents 5% of the gross employment costs the employer would have incurred had the employee not been furloughed.
- September: The government will pay 70% of wages up to a cap of £2,187.50. Employers will pay ER NICs and pension contributions and 10% of wages to make up 80% total up to a cap of £2,500. For the average claim, this represents 14% of the gross employment costs the employer would have incurred had the employee not been furloughed.
- October: The government will pay 60% of wages up to a cap of £1,875. Employers will pay ER NICs and pension contributions and 20% of wages to make up 80% total up to a cap of £2,500. For the average claim, this represents 23% of the gross employment costs the employer would have incurred had the employee not been furloughed.
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
NEWRY CHAMBER ONLINE WEBINAR AND Q&A
“Preparing The Workplace For Reopening”
DATE: Thursday 4th June 2020
TIME: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Join us for a discussion on both the practical and legal considerations businesses and organisations may face as they reopen their workplaces with:
- Emma Mullen-Marmion – Director of HR & People Services, EMerald HR
- Stephen Hynes – BeSpoke Contracts Manager, mac-group.
PLEASE NOTE:
Spaces are limited and there is a interest in this Webinar and Q&A, so we would encourage you to register as soon as possible.
REGISTER FOR THIS WEBINAR HERE.
REOPENING PLANS FOR HOTELS & TOURIST ACCOMMODATION
The Economy Minister, Diane Dodds MLA today announced plans to allow hotels and other tourist accommodation to re-open from Monday 20th July 2020.
The Minister announced the following key dates:
20th July 2020: Holiday & Home Parks, Caravan Sites and Self-Catering Properties.
As they are self-contained and may require less advance notice before opening, the opening times for these types of accommodation may be advanced to earlier than 20th July 2020 depending on scientific advice.
20th July 2020: Guesthouses, B&Bs, Hotels and Hostels.
The Tourism Steering Group will be asked to work with the sector to explore what facilities and amenities can safely be made available by hotels and recommendations will be brought to the NI Executive in due course.
UPDATE: SELF-EMPLOYMENT INCOME SUPPORT SCHEME
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, MP also announced an extension of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
The scheme currently allows you to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of your average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering 3 months’ worth of profits and capped at £7,500 in total.
If you’re eligible and want to claim the first grant you must make your claim on or before Monday 13th July 2020.
The extension by the Chancellor will mean you’ll be able to make a claim for a second and final grant in August 2020.
The online service for the second and final grant is not available yet. HMRC will update their guidance to let you know when you can make your claim.
If you’re eligible the second and final grant will be a taxable grant worth 70% of your average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering a further 3 months’ worth of profits and capped at £6,570 in total.
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
UPDATE: NI MICRO-BUSINESS HARDSHIP FUND
DEADLINE TO REGISTER: 6pm on Friday 12th June 2020.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Businesses should ensure they meet the following criteria before applying:
- The business must be based in Northern Ireland.
- At 29th February 2020, the business must have employed between one and nine employees paid via PAYE. Businesses, where the sole employee is the business owner or company director, are not eligible for this scheme. The number of employees will be based on headcount.
- Since 1st March 2020, the business must have experienced a reduction in turnover in excess of 40% as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic or associated Government restrictions.
CHECK IF YOU’RE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY HERE.
HOW DO I APPLY?
You must complete the eligibility checker to apply for the fund. The online checker will help you find out if you qualify for the scheme. If you are eligible, the checker will direct you to the online application process.
The business owner/director must complete the application. Your tax agent, adviser or any other third party cannot apply for you.
Before you apply for the grant scheme, there are some steps that you can take to prepare for completing your application.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU HAVE APPLIED?
Payments will be made after the scheme has closed and the number of successful applications is determined.
You will be able to check the progress of your submitted application online by logging into your dedicated portal account.
Invest NI will process applications as quickly as possible. Once an application is approved, applicants will be notified by email that their application has been successful.
Unsuccessful applicants will also be informed by email.
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
HMRC WEBINARS: SSP SCHEME & FURLOUGH SCHEME
HMRC has a range of online support to guide you through the new measures announced by the Chancellor, to help deal with the economic impacts of COVID-19.
As part of the government’s commitment to support businesses and individuals, the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Scheme is now live on GOV.UK.
Find out if you can use the Statutory Sick Pay Scheme or how to make a claim on the Furlough Scheme by joining one of the following updated webinars.
WEBINAR: COVID-19 Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme
Providing an overview of the scheme, this webinar looks at who can claim, when to start paying SSP, employees you can claim for, making a claim and keeping records.
CHOOSE A DATE AND A TIME HERE.
WEBINAR: Furlough Scheme – How To Make A Claim
This guides you through making a claim, including the essential information you need, what to do before you make your claim, calculating and processing your claim.
CHOOSE A DATE AND TIME HERE.
PLEASE NOTE:
There are a limited number of spaces available, so register now to ensure your place.
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.