Government updates
Guidance for UK businesses trading internationally.
See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance…
Providing apprenticeships during the coronavirus outbreak
Guidance for apprentices, employers, training providers and assessment organisations about changes to apprenticeships – Updated information on furloughed apprentices, end-point assessment, functional skills apprentices and qualification certification.
See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-apprenti…
Digital innovations tested to support vulnerable people during COVID-19 outbreak
New parents, unpaid carers, the homeless, young people and cancer patients could benefit from digital solutions as part of the TechForce19 challenge.
See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/digital-innovations-tested-to-support…
Vital routes for supplies and people kept open through coronavirus support package
Government pledges support for freight services to protect flow of goods between the UK, mainland Europe and Northern Ireland
- UK, Ireland and France also agree joint commitment to protecting freight during pandemic
- light rail systems in Sheffield, Manchester, West Midlands, Nottingham and Tyne and Wear also set to receive support
- thousands of volunteers from transport sector are put on standby to support frontline services as new ‘Transport Support Unit’ established, alongside hundreds of government vehicles from the transport network
See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/vital-routes-for-supplies-and-people-…
HMRC updates
HMRC Update: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Wages for furloughed employees are now being paid through the, six working days after claims opened.
Payments for claims made on Monday 20 April will be in employers’ bank accounts by today (28 April).
If you have already made a claim
Do not worry if you have not received payment yet – it takes six working days from when you claimed. Please do not call HMRC to chase payment as they will not be able to update you before the six working days have ended.
You do not need to do anything to receive payment. It will automatically be sent to the bank account you nominated in your claim.
Please retain all records and calculations for your claims in case HMRC need to contact you about them in future, as they continue to check claims made through the scheme.
If you have not yet made a claim
You can still claim online for a grant for 80% of your furloughed employees’ salaries, up to a maximum of £2,500 per employee, per month. You will receive the funds six working days after you claim, provided your claim matches records that HMRC hold for your PAYE scheme.
Please read all the available guidance before you apply. To find this See: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wages-through-the-coronavirus-job-…
Please continue to keep your furloughed employees informed and ask them not to contact HMRC directly – They will not be able to provide them with any information.
A word about scams
Stay vigilant about scams, which may mimic government messages such as ‘Stay at home’ and ‘Stay home, stay safe’, as a way of appearing authentic and unthreatening. Do not give out private information or reply to text messages, and do not download attachments or click on links in texts or emails you were not expecting.
You can forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599.