Covid-19 grants distributed by local authorities provided small businesses across England with £21.3 billion in business support through the pandemic. A new report into the government’s COVID-19 Local Authority Business Support Grants scheme also showed over one-third of all available funding was … [Read more...]
News for: Coronavirus Business Updates
Two year extension announced for Covid Recovery Loan scheme
The Covid Recovery Loan Scheme, originally launched in April 2021, has been extended for a further two years, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has announced. The scheme to help small businesses recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic has so far supported almost 19,000 businesses with an average of … [Read more...]
Research finds Covid-19 has not fundamentally changed the UK labour market
A new analysis of the post-pandemic labour market by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has found that the overall mix of vacancies available remains largely unchanged by Covid-19. The IFS found that while there are around 20% more job vacancies than two years ago, there has been no more … [Read more...]
New authority announced to protect government money from fraud
The creation of a new 'fraud squad' is to be announced later today (27th April), tasked with protecting government funds from fraud and recovering money lost through misuse of Covid-19 support schemes. The Public Sector Fraud Authority is expected to launch in July, recruiting data analytics … [Read more...]
Government sets out ‘Living with COVID’ next steps
Free Covid-19 tests will no longer be available except for the most at-risk groups from 1st April as the government sets out the next steps of its ‘Living with COVID’ plan. Free Covid-19 tests will remain available for those at risk of serious illness, NHS and care staff beyond 1st April, but PCR … [Read more...]
Covid-19 insolvency measures lifted as pandemic business support winds down
Temporary insolvency measures put in place during the Covid-19 pandemic will be lifted from 31st March 2022 as the remaining pandemic support schemes are wound down. Measures were introduced as part of the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 to limit the impact of Covid-19 related … [Read more...]
Pubs and breweries call for support in upcoming Spring Statement
Pubs and breweries are among hospitality sector businesses calling on the Chancellor to announce measures to support their recovery after the pandemic in his upcoming Spring Statement. The Long Live the Local campaign, backed by the British Beer and Pub Association, is asking for an extension of … [Read more...]
Friday 25th February – Coronavirus News Updates
UK STATISTICS There have been 18 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and 161,000 people have died, government figures show. Over 52.5 million people have now received a first dose of the vaccine, 91% of people in the UK aged 12 and over. Nearly 49 million, 85% have had their second … [Read more...]
Wednesday 23rd February – Coronavirus News Updates
UK STATISTICS There have been 18 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and 160,000 people have died, government figures show. Over 52.5 million people have now received a first dose of the vaccine, 91% of people in the UK aged 12 and over. More than 48 million, 85% have had their … [Read more...]
Friday 18th February – Coronavirus News Updates
UK STATISTICS There have been 18 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and 160,000 people have died, government figures show. Over 52.5 million people have now received a first dose of the vaccine, 91% of people in the UK aged 12 and over. More than 48 million, 85% have had their … [Read more...]
January NatWest PMI Survey reveals business confidence high in the North-west despite Covid-19 disruption
Business confidence in the North-west has risen according to NatWest’s January Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) survey, despite the region seeing the slowest economic growth in a year, due to Covid-19 disruption from staff absences and rising inflation and supply challenges. The high-street bank … [Read more...]
January retail sales show recovery after easing of Covid-19 measures
The latest Office of National Statistics (ONS) data on UK retail sales has found 11.6% year-on-year growth in sales in January 2022 when work-from-home guidance and face covering rules were relaxed. Non-food sales volumes rose 3.4% in January 2022, with strong growth in household goods, furniture … [Read more...]