Skip to main content
We’re here with practical IT information for your business.

Search

How to choose the right computer equipment for your business to increase your productivity and efficiency without it costing the earth.

Business software helps you complete a range of tasks. Choose the right software, provide support and train your staff with our introduction.

It is highly likely that you depend on the internet for some aspects of your business. Find out how you can use the internet more effectively.

Good communication with customers, partners and suppliers is vital for business success. This summary explores business communication methods.

How would you cope if your IT system failed or was breached? We cover the main IT security issues and how to protect against them.

Good IT management can help you choose, use and implement IT. Our overview helps you manage IT in a way that maximises the return on your investment.

IT support is vital if you rely on your IT system. But how can you set up an effective safety net in case things go wrong? We explore the options.

Getting the right IT is just the first step. Appropriate training, policies and working practices can help you maximise return on your IT investment.

New support for businesses forced to close

12 October 2020

From 1 November, the government's Job Support Scheme will include support for any business that is required to close under new coronavirus restrictions or local lockdowns.

Under the expanded Job Support Scheme, firms whose premises are legally required to shut for a period of time over winter as part of local or national restrictions will receive grants to pay the wages of staff who cannot work. In these circumstances, the government will pay two-thirds (or 67%) of employees' salaries, up to a maximum of £2,100 a month.

Chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak said: "I have always said that we will do whatever is necessary to protect jobs and livelihoods as the situation evolves. The expansion of the Job Support Scheme will provide a safety net for businesses across the UK who are required to temporarily close their doors, giving them the right support at the right time."

Under the scheme, employers will not be required to contribute towards wages and only asked to cover NICs and pension contributions. According to government estimates, around half of potential claims are likely not to incur employer NICs or auto-enrolment pension contributions and so face no employer contribution.

Businesses will only be eligible to claim the grant while they are subject to restrictions and employees must be off work for a minimum of seven consecutive days.

The UK-wide scheme begins on 1 November and will continue for six months, with a review in January. In line with the rest of the Job Support Scheme, payments to businesses will be made in arrears, via an HMRC claims service that will be available from early December. Employees of firms that have been legally closed in the period before 1 November are eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS).

In addition, cash grants for businesses in England that are required to close in local lockdowns have been increased. The new grants will be linked to rateable values, with up to £3,000 per month payable every two weeks, compared to the up to £1,500 every three weeks which was available previously.

The devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will receive a £1.3 billion increase to their guaranteed funding for 2020-21 - allowing them to implement similar measures.

These measures will sit alongside the original Job Support Scheme - which is designed to support businesses that are facing low demand over the winter months - and the £1,000 Job Retention Bonus which encourages employers to keep staff on payroll.

Written by Rachel Miller.

Stay up-to-date with business advice and news

Sign up to our lively and colourful newsletter for new and more established small businesses.