New is just in today (21 December 2021) that additional support will be made available for businesses that are affected by the Omicron Variant.
Full details can be found on the website link below and whilst the hospitality sector was once again mentioned there will be around 200,000 businesses that will be eligible for business grants in the coming weeks and discretionary funding should also help those that are not in the hospitality/leisure sector.
One off grant’s up to £6,000 per premises with discretionary funding available for local authorities. The best place to start for these funds would be local authority websites or if you can sign up and subscribe to your local authority today to receive news of the grants once released.
Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) Funding top ups again will be managed by local authorities, so head straight to the local authority website for guidance as a starting point as this will vary between authorities.
Covid Related Statutory Sick Pay will again be covered by the government for small and medium size employers from today with the option to make claims mid January. This will help lots of beauty businesses that have multiple staff unable to work due to COVID.
Covid Additional Relief Fund will provide funding to businesses that have not yet received business rates support.
Protection from Eviction will continue until March 2022 for businesses that are behind on their rent.
Bounce Back Loan flexibility is still available for business owners, this gives the option to provide a 6 month repayment holidays, 3 x 6month interest only periods or the option to extend the loan to 10 years.
Complete information can be found online https://www.gov.uk/government/news/1-billion-in-support-for-businesses-most-impacted-by-omicron-across-the-uk