New measures include ban on eviction of commercial tenants, business rates holiday, ESFA measures, assistance for employers with redundancy payments and more
COMMERCIAL tenants who cannot pay their rent because of coronavirus will be protected from eviction. More information is available here.
COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility – Now open for applications
Under the new COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility, the Bank of England will buy short term debt from larger companies. All non-financial companies that meet the criteria set out on the Bank of England’s website are eligible. The scheme is now available for applications. More information is available from the Bank of England.
Business grant funding and business rates holiday for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses
Additional information on business grant funding guidance, and on the expanded retail discount guidance for local authorities is now available. Businesses do not need to take action. Your local authority will write to you if you are eligible for grant funding. Business rate holiday changes will apply to your next council tax bill in April 2020.
Apprenticeship programme response
The Education and Skills Funding Agency is taking steps to ensure that, wherever possible, apprentices can continue and complete their apprenticeship and to support providers during this challenging time. New guidance has been published for apprentices, employers, training providers and assessment organisations.
Foreign Secretary advises all British travellers to return to the UK now
All British tourists and short-stay travellers currently abroad should return to the UK where commercial flight options are still available. Further instructions for British travellers to return home can be found on the coronavirus travel advice page
Financial assistance for employers unable to pay statutory redundancy payments
This page has been updated with information about the financial assistance scheme for employers unable to pay statutory redundancy payments.
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) guidance
The MHRA have produced guidance for industry covering the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
