A £40.4 MILLION support fund for small businesses in North Somerset has now been fully launched, with the support of the Liberal Democrat Council Group.

The fund is to be spent on small business grants of £10k or £25k.

Lib Dem Cllr Mark Canniford, Executive Member for Business, Economy and Employment at North Somerset Council, said: "We want to help local businesses during this difficult time, and we urge businesses and individuals to get in contact with the council to see what available support there is. We recognise this is a difficult time and we want to help organisations to get the financial help they need."

North Somerset Council have predicted that around 3,500 businesses are eligible for the grants. The Council's Business Support Team have increased their team numbers and worked thorough the easter bank holiday weekend to ensure they process a significant number of applications over to alleviate delays where possible. So far, we have received around 2,500 applications and processed 1,063 of these and paid out £12.9m in support to date. We're working to get more paid out in the next couple of days.

For more information about the help and support available to businesses in North Somerset go to:

➡ https://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/news/north-somerset-council-launches-business-support-measures/

For more information, or to apply for support, contact:

Phone: 01934 426266

Email: business@n-somerset.gov.uk

Website: www.n-somerset.gov.uk/covidbusinesssupport

In addition, HMRC are delivering a programme of webinars to support employers, employees and the self-employed through this period of disruption. You can watch the first recorded webinar and register for future webinars using this link: bit.ly/HMRCWebinar

Help us tailor our support by filling in this short survey!

Support for Businesses in North Somerset

• Government-backed loans - Full details of the £5m scheme, including eligibility criteria, are available on the British Business Bank website
• Business grants - North Somerset Council sent out letters to over 6,700 local businesses with details about Small Business Grant and a Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant, find out more here: https://forms.liberata.com/business-rates/covid19-grant-request/north-somerset
• Local and national updates - https://innorthsomerset.co.uk/covid-19-support/
• Social Distancing - latest guidance
• Job protection - HMRC will reimburse 80% of furloughed workers wage costs, up to a cap of £2,500 per month. Further details are available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme
• Business rates - The Government has pledged to provide £20 billion of business rates support and grant funding to help the most-affected firms manage their cashflow through this period. See further information about rates relief

• SME Statutory Sick Pay compensation- this support helps small and medium-sized business to cope with the extra costs of paying COVID-19 related Statutory Sick Pay of up to two weeks.
• Supporting your area- If you are a business, email business@n-somerset.gov.uk if you would like to offer your support or service to North Somerset Council.
• Paying tax - If you run a business or are self-employed, and you're concerned about paying your tax due to coronavirus, call HMRC's Tax helpline to support businesses; telephone: 0800 0159 559.
• Food business advice - The council's FoodWorks are offering specialist business advice to food and drink businesses, producer, restauranteurs, and retailers; telephone: 01934 411272 The government is also set to introduce legislation to allow pubs and restaurants to operate as takeaways
• Bank Loans - we are aware of the difficulties faced by some local businesses in accessing the Government's Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan scheme. If you have any issues please report it to business@n-somerset.gov.uk if

Help for self-employed

• The Liberal Democrats are lobbying the government to provide support to the 18,100 self-employed people in North Somerset. More information on support here: https://innorthsomerset.co.uk/covid-19-support/covid-19-support-for-self-employed/
• Information on the Self Employment Income Scheme can be found here - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme
• Income Tax Self-Assessment payments due on 31 July 2020 have been deferred until 31 January 2021. This is automatically applied.
• If you are not already receiving benefits you might be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance: gov.uk/benefits-calculators
• If you already receive benefits like Tax Credits or Housing Benefit, you might be entitled to more money while you are off work. Speak to the office paying you for more information.
• If you are already receiving Tax Credits: update your change in circumstances https://www.gov.uk/changes-affect-tax-credits
• If you are already receiving Universal Credit: update your change in circumstances https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-universal-credit
• If you are already receiving Council Tax Support or Housing Benefit: update your change in circumstances https://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/my-services/benefits-and-support/council-tax-support/changes-in-your-circumstances/

Help for individuals

• North Somerset Welfare Provision Scheme- The welfare provision scheme can give you short term financial help in a crisis. The amount of help that can be given will depend on your circumstances. https://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/my-services/benefits-and-support/about-the-welfare-provision-scheme/
• Statutory Sick Pay - Check your sick pay entitlement here https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay
• Universal Credit - guide to applying https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit
• 'New Style' Employment and Support Allowance - a guide to applying https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance
• Guidance for employees - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-guidance-for-employees

Useful tools for businesses

• orderfrom.co.uk is a free tool allowing businesses to get online.
• Weston College are offering FREE online business skills courses. From business improvement techniques, team leading, lean management and leadership to data protection and business start-up: https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/distance-learning?utm_source=distancelearningmarch20&utm_medium=organicsocialmedia

Avoiding scammers

• We are aware that fake HMRC scams are circulating. If you are a business wanting advice please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
• If you would like any further information on scams please visit the Action Fraud Website: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/