There is now less than one month to go until the end of the transition period. It is vital that you act now to avoid disruptions to business operations and to help you make the most of the opportunities that 2021 will bring. Over the last 7 weeks, I have written to you about some […] Read more
The BEST Growth Hub today announced the launch of a business support programme for leaders of ambitious Essex SMEs. Peer Networks is being delivered nationally via the Local Enterprise Partnership (‘LEP’) and Growth Hub networks in partnership with The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. Peer Networks is a £20m support package that forms […] Read more
The Prime Minister announced on Tuesday 1 December, support for pubs that predominantly serve alcohol, rather than food, through festive period. This is: an additional £1,000 Christmas grant for ‘wet-led pubs’ in tiers 2 and 3 for Pubs that predominantly serve alcohol rather than provide food a one-off for December that will be paid on top on the existing £3,000 monthly cash […] Read more
High Street opening hours for Christmas shopping extended: From Wednesday 2 December retailers will be able to extend their daily opening hours from Monday to Saturday in the run up to Christmas and through January. For more information check here.  Test to Release for international travel: The Test to Release for International Travel scheme is for people who need to self-isolate on arrival […] Read more
Claim for the third grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme: The online service for claiming the third grant is now available. Guidance has also been updated to provide clarity on verifying your eligibility with HMRC after having a new child. Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: step by step guide for employers: The step-by-step guide has been updated to reflect recent changes to the scheme, and a new key […] Read more
Three tiers for local restrictions are in place in England from Wednesday 2 December. Information for businesses, including what you can and cannot do in each tier, is available below.  Tier 1: Medium alert Tier 2: High alert Tier 3: Very High alert Guidance on how to make your workplace COVID-secure has been updated to reflect the tiered system.  Guidance on maintaining […] Read more
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, has written to specific business sectors. The letters provide tailored advice about key actions that businesses must take after the Transition period ends on 31 December 2020, which is 32 days away. Click to view the sector-specific guidance for: […] Read more
UK – JAPAN Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA): Guidance has been issued listing the provisions in the CEPA for SMEs. For more information, click here. Guidance has been issued in the form of a technical note to set out how the tariff rate quota (TRQ) scheme in the CEPA will operate. For more information, click […] Read more
Trading Trading under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules – how to trade with other countries from 1 January if there is no UK trade agreement:  Guidance has been updated to reflect the latest information about trading under WTO rules from 1 January 2021 if no trade agreement exists between the UK and another country. For […] Read more
With just 32 days to go until the end of the transition period, you can keep up to date by attending live webinars to help prepare your business. You can also access sector-specific webinars about how to prepare your business here. HMRC customs declarations webinars: HMRC have launched multiple editions of this live webinar covering […] Read more
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