Chamber News

On 01 January 2021 a new immigration system came into play and EU, EEA and/or Swiss nationals will no longer be allowed to move to the UK and work without a visa.  Under the new system, all foreign nationals will be treated equally, excepting Irish citizens.

Our region has a wide range of businesses, who employ overseas workers and Norfolk Chambers would like to hear how the new UK immigration rules are impacting on your workforce and your recruitment plans for the future.

We working with partners, such as the Local Enterprise Partnerships and the local authorities, to help support the local business community to protect current and future jobs.  As a group, we need to understand the overall impact on the workforce of new immigration changes.

For example, the social care sector in our region currently employs approximately 9% EU workers – with many whose salary levels will not meet the new immigration threshold.  What work have they done with their current overseas employees to ensure the can remain in the UK?  What plans are being made and how are care homes planning to mitigate their future overseas staffing needs?   Similarly, those in the agriculture and food sectors, are they seeing a knock-on effect as a result of changes in accessing temporary workers?  Have all your EU national employees applied for and received Settled Status?

We need to hear from as weide a range as businesses as possible.  Not just the care, agriculture and food sectors.  Your feeback willhelp to ensure that the right support mechanisms are put in place locally and to ensure we can continue to lobby appropriately on your behalf when talking to the Government Ministers and the Cabinet Office about how effective their systems are in reality.

Below are a summary of the key new immigrations rules in relation to business:

EU citizens who were living in the UK on 31 December 2020

If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen and you were resident in the UK on or before 31 December 2020, you should not apply for a visa under the points-based immigration system. You and your family should instead apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. Applications are free and the deadline for applying is 30 June 2021.

Employing EU citizens in the UK from 01 January 2021

Information for employers on employing EU, EEA and Swiss citizens in the UK, covering right to work checks, the EU Settlement Scheme and the UK’s new immigration system.  Full details can be found here.

Skilled workers

The points-based system includes a route for skilled workers who have a job offer from an approved employer sponsor.  The job offered will need to be at a required skill level of RQF3 or above (equivalent to A level). The person will also need to be able to speak English and be paid the relevant salary threshold by the sponsor. This will either be the general salary threshold of £25,600 or the going rate for the job, whichever is higher.

If the role earns less than this – but no less than £20,480 – you may still be able to apply by ‘trading’ points on specific characteristics against your salary. For example, if you have a job offer in a shortage occupation or have a PhD relevant to the job.

Seasonal Workers (Temporary Workers)

A Seasonal Worker may only stay in the UK for 6 months in any 12-month period.  A person on the Seasonal Worker route is not eligible to bring their dependants to the UK and a Seasonal Worker is not a route to settlement.

There are some sectors in the UK, particularly those in agriculture and food processing that employ seasonal workers i.e. fruit picking etc.  The person must be over 18 years of age and the application cannot be made more than 3 months in advance of the proposed start date.  For full information click here.

To give your feedback, please contact Nova.fairbank@norfolkchambers.co.uk  or call 01603 729 713.

Commenting on GDP figures for November 2020 published today by the ONS, BCC Head of Economics Suren Thiru said:  

 “The latest figures highlight the continued damage being done to the UK economy by coronavirus. 

 “The decline in output in November was largely driven by the drag on activity from the second lockdown, with consumer-focused services firms, who are most exposed to lockdown restrictions, enduring a particularly difficult month.   

 “With any post-lockdown rally in output in December constrained by the tougher tiered restrictions, including the introduction of tier 4 measures, the UK economy is likely to have contracted in the final quarter of 2020.  

 “A third lockdown means that a double-dip recession in the first quarter of this year may be inevitable, particularly if the current post-Brexit disruption persists through the quarter. 

 “A clear and comprehensive plan is urgently needed to support the economy throughout this year. This should include closing the current gaps in government support and providing more significant grant funding to support cash strapped businesses. A fit-for-purpose Test, Trace and Isolate system remains critical to keeping the economy moving once the current lockdown ends.” 

Returning on Friday 5 February, 2pm-4.30pm, The Big Debate goes virtual this year bringing together local MPs and business leaders to influence change and give voice to Norfolk businesses. 

The online debate is spilt into four main topics Norfolk Chambers have identified as key to the business community this year. These are:

• People & Skills
• Rebuilding the Economy
• Climate Change & Going Green
• Beyond Brexit

This is your chance to put your questions directly to key decision makers, virtually network with other businesses in Norfolk and be part of Norfolk Chambers flagship policy event that lets the voice of the Norfolk business community be heard. 

The schedule of the day

Welcome

From Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy, Governance & Public Affairs for Norfolk Chambers of Commerce and Jonathan Denby, Head of Corporate Affairs for Greater Anglia.

Debate 1: People & Skills

Our first debate will focus on People & Skills, tackling the challenge of how we recruit and retain top talent in the county. Joining us will be Rebecca Headden, Co-Director for R13 Recruitment, James Howells, Director for Turning Factor, Karen Paterson, Deputy Group Property & Facilities Director for Aviva and Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North.

Debate 2: Rebuilding the Economy

Join Stefan Gurney, Executive Director for Norwich BID, Clive Lewis, MP for Norwich South, David Parfrey Executive Chair for Norwich Research Park and James Wild, MP for North West, to discuss how businesses can bounce back after such a turbulent year. With Brexit and the Covid pandemic challenging businesses like never before, what are the opportunities for businesses to expand and grow in 2021, and what is needed to ensure businesses in Norfolk thrive?

Break

Time to grab yourself another cup of tea.

Debate 3: Climate Change & Going Green

Next on the agenda will be Climate Change & Going Green with the aim of looking at what support is needed and available for businesses to improve their carbon footprint. Answering your questions will be Richard Buckingham, Climate Change and Carbon Manager for Anglian Water, Duncan Baker, MP for North Norfolk and Dr Catrin Ellis Jones, Stakeholder Engagement Manager – Offshore Wind for Vattenfall.

Debate 4: Beyond Brexit

Our final debate of the day focusses on Brexit. Now that ‘Brexit is done’ what support is there for Norfolk businesses to drive growth overseas and what impact has Brexit had on local businesses already? This topic will be debated by Richard Pace, Managing Director for Norwich Airport, Tracey Renshaw, Managing Director for Import Export Support, Kevin Walsh, U.K. Sales Director for LV Shipping and Leszek Wysocki, International Trade Adviser for Department of International Trade.

How to submit your questions

You can post messages live at the event and you can also submit questions in advance of the event. If you would like to submit a question on any of the four topics in advance, you may do so here: click here to submit questions.

The Big Debate 2020 is sponsored by Greater Anglia and is open to members and non-members.

To book your tickets and to see further speakers announced, click here.

And don’t forget to get involved in the discussion on Twitter at #BigDebate21

A letter from BEIS Minister Scully has been issued to haulier firms on the new requirements for drivers to have a negative Covid test before travelling to ports.  The costs of test will be met by government and businesses are encouraged to go through their local authority for the necessary equipment.

Commenting on the Prime Minister’s announcement of a new, national lockdown in England, and following the implementation of a lockdown in Scotland, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said:     

“Businesses will understand why the Prime Minister has felt compelled to act on the spiralling threat to public health, but they will be baffled and disappointed by the fact that he did not announce additional support for affected businesses alongside these new restrictions.  

“The lockdowns announced in England and Scotland today are a body blow to our business communities, hard on the heels of lost trade during the festive season and uncertainty linked to the end of the Brexit transition period. Tens of thousands of firms are already in a precarious position, and now face a period of further hardship and difficulty.  

“Billions have already been spent helping good firms to survive this unprecedented crisis and to save jobs. These businesses must not be allowed to fail now, when the vaccine rollout provides light at the end of this long tunnel. The financial support for businesses needs to be stepped up in line with the devastating restrictions being placed on them. Otherwise, many of these firms may simply not be there to power our recovery when we emerge once again. 

“Enhanced support for businesses, a turbo-charged vaccine rollout, and delivery of existing promises on mass testing must be delivered to enable the UK to restart, rebuild and renew.” 

The British Chambers of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) – the UK’s largest independent survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth – found that business conditions remained weak in the fourth quarter as the second lockdown squeezed activity.

The bellwether survey of 6,203 firms, including those from Norfolk, who employ nearly a million people across the UK, revealed that there was no fundamental improvement in the key indicators in Q4 and they remain well below pre-crisis levels. 95% of respondents were SMEs. 

Key Findings:

• Following the sharpest decline in the history of the QES in Q2 2020, all the key indicators in Q4 remained substantially worse than pre-pandemic levels
•  79% of hotels and catering firms reported a decrease in domestic sales in Q4, worsening from 66% in Q3
• Cash flow, a key indicator of business health, continued to deteriorate for 43% of firms overall. For hotels and catering firms, 77% report a decrease.
• Norfolk’s service sector domestic sales worsen in line with the national figures and are well below their historic average.  But domestic orders picked up slightly whilst remaining in negative territory (-18 up from -24)
• Norfolk’s manufacturing sector domestic sales and home orders continue to fall in line with the national picture.

Overall UK business conditions:

Overall, indicators remained weak in Q4, with only moderate improvement compared to Q3 and still well below the pre-Covid 19 trend.  

• Nearly half of firms (43%) reported decreases in domestic sales, broadly unchanged from 46% in Q3 
• 26% of firms reported an increase in domestic sales. 30% reported no change 
• 45% of firms reported a decrease in domestic orders, while 33% report no change, and 22% report an increase 
• 38% of firms reported decreases in export sales, down slightly from 45% in Q3 but still substantially worse than pre-pandemic levels, where only around 20% of firms reported a decrease 
• Nearly a quarter (22%) of firms reported increases in export sales, up from 16% in Q3 

Business to consumer (B2C) firms saw the largest falls in domestic sales in the quarter. Over three quarters (79%) of respondents in the hospitality and catering sectors reported decreases, compared to 66% in Q3 and is moving back toward Q2 levels (94%), underlining the impact that lockdowns and forced closures have had on demand.  

However, the survey revealed that sectors which have continued their operations through the pandemic, and/or shifted their operating models to remote working, also have a higher proportion of firms reporting decreased sales. For instance, 53% of transport and distribution firms, and 44% of marketing/media firms reported decreases in sales, well above pre-pandemic levels of 29% and 23% reporting decreases in Q1 2020, respectively. 

Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:    

“These results indicate that economic activity was strikingly downbeat in the final quarter of 2020 as the re-introduction of tighter coronavirus restrictions weighed heavily on the key drivers of growth. 

“The services sector endured a particularly difficult quarter, with consumer-facing businesses most severely exposed to the renewed restrictions. Although manufacturing firms had a moderately better end to 2020, this is more likely to reflect a temporary boost from Brexit stockpiling rather than evidence of a recovery in the sector. The persistent weakness in investment intentions is a particular concern, as it limits the UK’s productivity and growth potential.  

“Though the vaccine rollout provides real optimism, a new national lockdown means that a significant double-dip recession in the first quarter of this year is looking increasingly likely.” 

Responding to the findings, Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy for Norfolk Chambers of Commerce said:     

“The results clearly demonstrate how Norfolk businesses are under pressure both from the impact of Covid-19 and Brexit.  2021 will be challenging year, as businesses come to terms with new import and export rules and systems, as well as the further uncertainty due to another lockdown. 

“Many manufacturers have stockpiled ahead of 01 January and the service sector are still not clear what the new UK/EU deal will mean for them.  We need the government to be clear about what the new deal means to all sectors, to provide clear guidance and support to ensure our businesses can come back strong in 2021.”

Responding to the findings, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, Dr Adam Marshall, said:     

“Our findings demonstrate that businesses across the UK face a difficult and uncertain year ahead in 2021. The announcement of another major lockdown across all four nations of the UK will compound the gloom for many.  

“As we start 2021, governments across the UK should be pulling out all the stops to ensure support for businesses is commensurate with the restrictions in place. Both the pandemic and government restrictions continue to hit firms hard, and many are grappling with a difficult period of adjustment to new trading conditions following the end of the Brexit transition period.  

“The current drip-feed approach to business support measures is too short term and leaves businesses unable to plan. Ministers must set out, now, what additional steps they will take to underpin business cash flow and help viable firms preserve livelihoods until a full reopening of the economy is possible. They should be boosting confidence by extending tax holidays and key support schemes that are due to expire over the coming weeks.  

“As we look to the future, our findings demonstrate that big investment incentives are also needed. Prosperity and success depend on businesses, both domestic and international, having the confidence to invest here in the UK for the long term. 

 “For business, the pandemic doesn’t end simply because vaccines are starting to be delivered. Brexit isn’t ‘done’, either. The sooner the Prime Minister and his colleagues set out a coherent economic plan and longer-term support to help businesses to restart, rebuild, and renew, the better.  

“2021 cannot be a year where Britain dithers while others do.”   

Key Norfolk findings in the Q4 2020 survey:

Norfolk Manufacturing Sector:

• The balance of firms reporting domestic sales decreased to 5 in Q4 from 27 in Q3, this is against an increase in national sales which increased to -9% in Q4, up from -15% in Q3.
• The balance of firms reported a decrease in export sales to -14 in Q4 down from -8 in Q3. This is against a national picture which saw firms reporting increased export sales increased to -8% from -26% in Q3 
• The balance of firms reporting cashflow decreased to -13 in Q4 from 20 in Q3 – this is significantly larger drop than the national figures which reporting a slight increase in Q4 -15 from -18.

Norfolk Services Sector:

• Norfolk firms reported a slight decrease in domestic sales to -4 in Q4 from -3 in Q3. Which reflected the national picture.
• Norfolk businesses outlook on export sales looked more positive with sales increasing to -21 in Q4 up from -32 in Q3. This was inline with th national trend which increased from -31 in A3 to -22 in Q4.
• The balance of firms reporting improved cashflow increased considerably to -6 in Q4 up from -24 in Q3.  A much healthier response than the national trend which showed list change -28 in q4 from -30 in Q3

As a percentage balance, the manufacturing sector is seeing a faster rate of improvement in domestic and export sales, though both sectors’ indicators remain in ‘negative territory’, meaning that more firms have reported a decrease in sales than an increase.  

Cash flow 

Cash flow, a key indicator of business health, continued to deteriorate for more than four-in-ten Norfolk firms. In Q4, 28% of firms reported an improvement in cash flow, 36% reported no change and 35% reported a deterioration.. 

In the services sector the balance of Norfolk firms reporting improved cashflow increased to -6% from -24% in Q3.

In the manufacturing sector, the balance of Norfolk firms reporting improved cashflow decreased to -13% from +20% in Q3. 

Investment and confidence 

Over a third of local firms (36%) continue to report decreased investment in plant, machinery and equipment, highlighting longer-term concerns for the economy as many businesses pause investment plans or revise them down. 

Just 41% expected no change in plant, machinery and equipment investment, down slightly from 47% in Q3. Just 23% of firms plan to invest, which increased from Q3 at just 8%

41% of firms said they expected their turnover to increase over the next 12 months, while a third (33%) still expected it to decrease. Just over a quarter (26%) expected that it would stay the same.  

In the services sector, the balance of firms looking to increase investment in training remains at -21% in Q4, up from 13% in Q3. The balance of firms confident that turnover will improve over the next year decreased considerably to +5% from  -13% in Q3. 

In the manufacturing sector, the balance of firms looking to increase investment in training increased to -8% in Q4 from -27% in Q3. The balance of firms confident that turnover will improve over the next year decreased to +21% in Q4 down from +33% in Q3. 

Ongoing uncertainty

Despite seeing some improvements in some indicators in the previous quarter, business conditions remain close to the historic lows in our data.

The survey fieldwork took place during the second lockdowns in England and Northern Ireland, and amid tougher restrictions in Scotland and Wales. Continued uncertainty around further lockdowns and restrictions, as well as the many unanswered questions on Brexit, have caused businesses considerable distress, with some saying they are worried about the long-term viability of their business.  

Smaller firms and independent retailers report the most pessimistic sentiment, many stating that changes in restrictions, and the introduction of the second lockdown exacerbated cash-flow problems and left them with redundant stock. A wholesaler reported: ‘We were recovering well from the lockdown until this last month, which has been catastrophic as we had bought for Christmas sales, which were then halted, but the invoices still needed paying.’ 

Some businesses not forced to close by the lockdown and restrictions are also feeling the effects of the cash-flow crisis further up the supply chain, with marketing budgets slashed or diverted to Covid-related activity. One creative agency commented: ‘2020 has been a dire year for any marketing, creative agency. Clients have taken back budgets to cover Covid and PPE signage, other new clients had to close doors and reduce marketing spend. Only a few see the need to promote or market their business to consumers and attract new sales.’ 

For any import or export of goods, you’ll need a commodity code to make your customs declaration when you bring goods in or send goods out of the UK or EU. This includes goods sent to you from abroad.

If you classify your goods correctly you’ll know what rate of duty and import VAT you should pay, and if:

• the duty is suspended
• you need a licence to move your goods
• your goods are covered by:
• the Common Agricultural Policy
• anti-dumping duties
• tariff quotas

To find out what commodity codes you need to use; what rates of duty and import VAT you may need to pay – click here for full details

Following the agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union, the Government has published two documents to help businesses to prepare for the end of the transition period on 1 January 2021. 

The two documents detail the key actions businesses need to take and provides guidance and details of helplines available to businesses.  They also provide sector specific Brexit transition actions.

• Part A: detailing the key actions, guidance and helplines available
• Part B: detailing sector specific Brexit transition actions

Norfolk Chambers can also help support businesses through the transition period – please visit our Brexit Hub.

HMRC have issued further guidance on claiming preferential rates.  From 1 January, if your goods originate in the EU or UK, you may be able to claim a preferential rate of duty when imported into the respective countries and released to free circulation. This means they’ll be free of Customs Duty.

Rules of origin

To claim preferential rates of duty, your product must originate in the EU or UK (as the exporting country) as set out in Chapter 2 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement ‘rules of origin’ and the ‘Product Specific Rules of Origin’ contained in Annex ORIG-2.

The introductory notes to product specific rules of origin can be found in Annex ORIG-1.  You’ll need to know how to classify your goods when checking the product specific rules.

If your goods do not meet the rules of origin requirements (or if you cannot prove that the goods meet them) you’ll still need to pay Customs Duty. To find out the rate of duty, you’ll need to classify your goods correctly.

Proof of origin

To benefit from preferential tariffs when importing into the UK from the EU (or importing into the EU from the UK), the importer will be required to declare they hold proof that the goods comply with the rules of origin.

You’ll be entitled to claim the preferential rate of duty if you have either:

• a statement on origin that the product is originating made out by the exporter
• the importer’s knowledge that the product is originating

If you’re delaying your declarations for goods imported into the UK from the EU you only need to include the declare a proof of origin when you make your supplementary declaration.

Statement on origin

The text for a statement on origin is in Annex ORIG-4 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

When exporting from the EU to the UK a statement on origin can be made out by any exporter where the value of the consignment is 6,000 euros (currently £5,700) or less. Above this amount the EU exporter must have a Registered Exporter (REX) number and include it in the statement.

When exporting to the EU you must include your EORI number in any statement you issue to your EU customer, regardless of the value.

The statement on origin must be provided on an invoice, or any other commercial document (excluding a bill of lading), describing the originating product in sufficient detail to enable its identification.

It will be valid for 2 years from the date it was made out on imports into the UK and 12 months for imports into the EU.

Importers knowledge

‘Importers knowledge’ allows the importer to claim preferential tariff treatment based on evidence they have obtained about the originating status of imported products. This evidence must be in the importer’s possession, be in form of supporting documents or records which may be provided by the exporter or producer and provide evidence that the product qualifies as originating.

As the importer is making a claim using their own knowledge, no statement on origin has to be provided by the exporter or producer.

Suppliers’ declarations

Until 31 December 2021, if you’re claiming preference on the basis of the importer’s knowledge or making out a statement on origin, you do not need to hold a supplier’s declaration at the time you’re claiming preference for goods imported from or to the EU.

But the importer must be confident that the goods meet the rules of origin. You must make every effort to obtain suppliers declarations retrospectively.

HMRC will publish more information in due course, full details and any subsequent updates can be found on the Government website.

Providing an initial response to the announcement that the UK and EU have reached a trade agreement, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said:  

“After four long years of uncertainty and upheaval, and just days before the end of transition, businesses will be able to muster little more than a muted and weary cheer.  

“While firms will welcome the agreement of a new foundation for UK-EU trade, they are now faced with the gargantuan task of adapting to new arrangements with scarcely a week before they take effect.  

“Businesses will need to digest the contents of the deal and consider what its provisions mean for the movement of goods, people and data across borders, as well as for their supply chains and partners.  

“We repeat that it is the responsibility of Government to give firms clear, precise and detailed guidance so that they can make the required changes quickly. Far too many details and procedures have been left, literally, to the last minute.  

“Let’s not forget that many businesses are already on their knees from the impact of the Coronavirus crisis, and most will have fewer resources available to implement the necessary changes with furloughed staff and Christmas holidays.  

“Governments on both sides must recognise the impossible task they have set businesses and give businesses time and breathing space to adjust to new realities. It is normal for free trade agreements to come with phasing-in measures, and this one should be no different. 

“Now that the two sides have reached agreement, we call on them to proceed speedily to ratification to give certainty to our economies and trade, and to allow businesses to look to the future.  

“It is now time to bring the political drama of the last four years to an end, and to replace it with pragmatism and determination to make the new UK-EU relationship work. The agreement can and must be a starting point for deeper cooperation as we restart, rebuild and renew our economies.  

“With greater clarity on the terms of trade, businesses can plan, invest, and look once again toward new opportunities.”  

The United Kingdom and the European Union have agreed a Trade and Cooperation Agreement, an Agreement on Nuclear Cooperation and an Agreement on Security Procedures for Exchanging and Protecting Classified Information.  It changes the basis of the UK’s relationship with our European neighbours from EU law to free trade and friendly cooperation.

To see the full details and read the agreements click here.

On Wednesday 23 December, Matt Hancock announced thst Norfolk will be moving to Tier 4 restrictions from 00.01 Hrs on Boxing Day (26 December 2020).  

Tier 4 restrictions for businesses and venues:

Businesses and venues which must close

To reduce social contact, the regulations require some businesses to close and impose restrictions on how some businesses provide goods and services. The businesses required to close include:

• non-essential retail, such as clothing and homeware stores, vehicle showrooms (other than for rental), betting shops, tailors, tobacco and vape shops, electronic goods and mobile phone shops, auction houses (except for auctions of livestock or agricultural equipment) and market stalls selling non-essential goods – these venues can continue to be able to operate click-and-collect (where goods are pre-ordered and collected off the premises) and delivery services
• hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs; with the exception of providing food and drink for takeaway (until 11pm), click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery
• accommodation such as hotels, hostels, guest houses and campsites, except for specific circumstances, such as where these act as someone’s main residence, where the person cannot return home, for providing accommodation or support to the homeless, or where it is essential to stay there for work purposes
• leisure and sports facilities such as leisure centres and indoor gyms, indoor swimming pools, indoor sports courts, indoor fitness and dance studios, indoor riding centres, and indoor climbing walls
• entertainment venues such as theatres, concert halls, cinemas, museums and galleries, casinos, amusement arcades, bingo halls, bowling alleys, skating rinks, go-karting venues, indoor play and soft play centres and areas (including inflatable parks and trampolining centres), circuses, fairgrounds, funfairs, zoos and other animal attractions, water parks and theme parks
• indoor attractions at venues such as botanical gardens, heritage homes and landmarks must also close, though outdoor grounds of these premises can stay open
• personal care facilities such as hair, beauty, tanning and nail salons. Tattoo parlours, spas, massage parlours, body and skin piercing services must also close. These services should not be provided in other people’s homes
• community centres and halls must close except for a limited number of exempt activities, as set out below. Libraries can also remain open to provide access to IT and digital services – for example for people who do not have it at home – and for click-and-collect services

Some of these businesses and places will also be permitted to be open for a small number of exempt activities, including:

• education and training – for schools to use sports, leisure and community facilities where that is part of their normal provision
• childcare purposes and supervised activities for children
• hosting blood donation sessions and food banks
• to provide medical treatment
• for elite sports persons to train and compete (in indoor and outdoor sports facilities), and professional dancers and choreographers to work (in fitness and dance studios)
• for training and rehearsal without an audience (in theatres and concert halls)
• for the purposes of film and TV filming

Businesses and venues which can remain open

Other businesses and venues are permitted to stay open, following COVID-19 Secure guidelines. This includes those providing essential goods and services, including:

• essential retail such as food shops, supermarkets, pharmacies, garden centres, building merchants and suppliers of building products and off-licences
• market stalls selling essential retail may also stay open
• businesses providing repair services may also stay open, where they primarily offer repair services
• petrol stations, automatic (but not manual) car washes, vehicle repair and MOT services, bicycle shops, and taxi and vehicle hire businesses
• banks, building societies, post offices, short-term loan providers and money transfer businesses
• funeral directors
• laundrettes and dry cleaners
• medical and dental services
• vets and pet shops
• animal rescue centres, boarding facilities, and animal groomers (may continue to be used for animal welfare, rather than aesthetic purposes)
• agricultural supplies shops
• mobility and disability support shops
• storage and distribution facilities
• car parks, public toilets and motorway service areas
• outdoor playgrounds
• outdoor gym, pools, sports courts and facilities
• golf courses
• archery/driving/shooting ranges (outdoors)
• outdoor riding centres
• places of worship
• crematoriums and burial grounds

Public services

The majority of public services will continue and you will be able to leave home to visit them. These include:

• the NHS and medical services like GPs and dentists. We are supporting the NHS to carry out urgent and non-urgent services safely, and it is vital anyone who thinks they need any kind of medical care comes forward and seeks help
• Jobcentre Plus sites
• courts and probation services
• civil registrations offices
• passport and visa services
• services provided to victims
• waste or recycling centres

Going to work

To help contain the virus, everyone who can work effectively from home should do so.

Where people cannot do so – including, but not limited to, people who work in critical national infrastructure, construction, or manufacturing – they should continue to travel to their workplace. Public sector employees working in essential services, including childcare or education, should continue to go into work.

Where it is necessary for you to work in other people’s homes – for example, for nannies, cleaners or tradespeople – you can do so.

Clinically vulnerable people are advised to work from home

If you are clinically vulnerable, you could be at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus. You:

• should be especially careful to follow the rules and minimise your contacts with others
• should continue to wash your hands carefully and more frequently than usual and maintain thorough cleaning of frequently touched areas in your home and/or workspace

Clinically vulnerable people are those who are:

• aged 70 or over (regardless of medical conditions)
• under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (that is, anyone instructed to get a flu jab each year on medical grounds):
  • chronic (long-term) mild to moderate respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis
  • chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
  • chronic kidney disease
  • chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
  • chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy
  • diabetes
  • problems with the spleen
  • a weakened immune system as the result of certain conditions or medicines they are taking (such as steroid tablets)
  • being seriously overweight (a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above)
• pregnant

There is a further group of people who are defined, also on medical grounds, as clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus – that is, people with specific serious health conditions.

Over this period, the Government is advising the clinically extremely vulnerable to work from home. If you are clinically extremely vulnerable and cannot work from home, you are advised not to go to work and may be eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), Employment Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit

Schools and colleges

Schools and colleges will remain open during term time in Tier 4 areas. 

The Government has confirmed that all secondary schools and colleges in England will be offered help, support and facilities to implement an additional round of free coronavirus testing from the first week of January.

This will be alongside a staggered return to face-to-face education in secondary schools, starting with exam years, vulnerable children and children of critical workers.

The offer of tests builds on the extensive protective measures already in place in schools and colleges to make them safe, as well as the government’s recent announcement that every secondary school and college in England will have access to rapid testing from January.

In schools and colleges where year 7 and above are educated, face coverings should be worn by adults (staff and visitors) and pupils when moving around indoors, such as in corridors and communal areas where social distancing is difficult to maintain.

Business support schemes – unchanged from Tier 3

The grant schemes are called:

• Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open)
• Local Restrictions Support Grant (Sector)
• Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed), which also features an ‘addendum’ following the reimposition of England-wide restrictions as of 5 November 2020
• Additional Restrictions Grant

The Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open) Scheme:

• The ‘Open’ scheme applies to businesses in Tier 2 and 3 areas which have been impacted by local restrictions but have not been required to close.
• Local Authorities that accessed the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open) due to Tier 2 restrictions will continue to be provided with funding to support severely impacted businesses under the scheme if the Local Authority moves into Tier 3.
• Local authorities are explicitly given discretion to decide how to distribute the grants. The guidance requests they prioritise the “hospitality, hotel, bed & breakfast and leisure” sectors, but there will be “no penalty” for those that deviate from this guidance according to local circumstances.
• Allocations of funding for this grant to each local authority will be made on the basis of the rateable properties in these sectors in the local authority area, plus a 5% ‘top-up’.

The Local Restrictions Support Grant (Sector) Scheme:

• The ‘Sector’ scheme applies to businesses in sectors that have to close due to national regulations.
• Grant funding for eligible businesses will be payable by Local Authorities in 14-day payment cycles with eligibility starting 1 November 2020.
• In the event of renewed widespread national ‘lockdown’ restrictions being imposed, the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Sector) will cease to apply, as relevant businesses will receive funding from the LRSG (Closed).

The Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) Scheme:

• The ‘Closed’ scheme applies to businesses in Tier 2 and Tier 3 areas that have been required to close.
• Allocations of funding to local authorities will be based on the number of properties subject to closure in each local authority area.
• In addition to this funding, Local Authorities will continue to receive funding for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open) scheme, which supports businesses that are allowed to remain open but are severely impacted by Tier 2 or Tier 3 restrictions. This continued funding will be subject to an adjustment which takes into account support provided through the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed).
• Local Authorities will receive 80% of the estimated grant funding for the first 14-day period of closures, based on an initial Government estimate. When this threshold of funding has been spent, Government will top up funding to Local Authorities if required. If further 14-day periods of closures are imposed, Local Authorities will receive the full required funding from Government to pay all eligible businesses that are mandated to close. To ensure efficiency and a smooth funding delivery process, unnecessary underspend should be avoided where possible.
• The guidance does not say local authorities can use their discretion to allocate grants in the way set out in the ‘Open’ scheme guidance.
• The guidance states that pubs and bars that operate click-and-collect services are to be treated as closed and therefore eligible for the grant.
• The guidance also states that businesses that do not depend on supplying direct in-person services from their premises are not eligible for the ‘Closed’ grant. Examples include solicitors and accountants.

Additional Restrictions Grant (discretionary):

• Under the Additional Restrictions Grant, Local Authorities will receive a one off lump sum payment amounting to £20 per head in each eligible Local Authority area. The funding can be used in financial years 2020-21 and 2021-22, and it can be used for general “business support activities”.

Christmas Support Payments for wet-led pubs:

• An additional £1,000 grant is payable for pubs where the majority of their income is from alcohol sales rather than food. The payment will be a one-off payment for December 2020. For public houses in Tier 2 and Tier 3 areas who derive less than 50 of their income from food sales.

In addition to the ‘grants’ available, loan provisions, specifically targeted at trying to alleviate the cash-flow and continuity impact of Covid restrictions are still live

Other business support schemes

The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme

(BBLS) have both been extended until 31st March 2021.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough) has been extended to the end of April 2021.