BUSINESS GATEWAY CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
12th June 2020

Tourism Businesses Urged to Plan for Reopening from 15th July


The Scottish Tourism Secretary, Fergus Ewing, has announced a new Scottish Recovery Tourism Taskforce will help the sector to resume operations and has set a provisional date of 15th July, dependent on public health and progression to phase 3 of the Scottish Government lockdown route map.

The government is expected to publish Tourism and Hospitality safer workplace guidance shortly, however we have pulled together further guidance and information from selected partner sites.
FURTHER INFORMATION
 
READ THE FULL STATEMENT HERE

Bed and Breakfast Hardship Fund Launches Monday 15th June 


The Scottish Government's Bed & Breakfast Hardship Fund is designed to support small serviced accommodation providers who have not been able to access support through other government backed schemes as a result of their banking status. 

The Bed & Breakfast Hardship Fund offers a one-off non-repayable hardship relief grant payment of £3,000.

Click here to find out more

PLANNING TO RETURN TO WORK GUIDES


Healthy Working Lives has published two excellent guides which will help you with your Planning to Return to Work strategy. 

As we look forward to further easing of lockdown measures in the update from Scottish Government next week, the key priorities are to ensure you have carried out a full Risk Assessment and have engaged with staff on any proposed changes. 

Click here to find out more and download the guides

IMPORTANT CHANGES TO THE FURLOUGH SCHEME

The government has confirmed the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will continue until 31st October 2020. However it has made important changes that will allow businesses to bring furloughed employees back part-time from 1st July and claim the grant for non-worked hours.

From August 2020, the level of grant provided by the government will be tapered to encourage businesses to contribute to the costs. 

Click here to see how the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is changing

Tenant/Occupier Small Business Grant

As part of its response to the COVID-19 emergency, the Scottish Government is making grants available to tenants or occupiers of premises such as shared office spaces, business incubators and shared industrial units for which the landlord is the registered rate payer. These businesses may be eligible for a single, one-off £10,000 small business grant.

Click here to find out more and apply now

Fife Company Plays Dynamic Role in Combating COVID-19

Dynamic EMS has been manufacturing parts for organisations fighting the global impact of coronavirus. The Dunfermline-based electronics manufacturer supported BAE Systems as part of the UK ventilators challenge community by manufacturing printed circuit boards assemblies.

Click here to read the full story in our latest FBM Update

Digital Skills Forum

Invest in Fife and partners are working to discover and help to identify the digital skills needs in Fife and discuss how best to fulfill them to benefit businesses in the area. If you would like to be involved in the discussion or find out what training and support may be available, click here to find out more and to register now

1 to 1 Advice from Your Business Adviser

If you are looking for assistance, whether it is to understand the funding available, look at new opportunities, or discuss how you could start a new business, our business advisers are on hand either on the phone or by video call.

Request a call back now

SUPPORT PACKAGES AVAILABLE 

COVID-19 Self-Employment Income Support Scheme FAQs

If you are self-employed, the government has published a few answers to some frequently asked questions.

 

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

All you need to know about the Government's Job Retention Scheme where employers can claim 80 per cent of wages for employees on temporary leave (“furlough”).

 

Business Support Grant

Business Support Grant applications are already being processed by Fife Council’s Rates Team who are working hard to support Fife Businesses by helping them maintain cashflow. With applications being approved, if you’ve not already, why not check to see if you are eligible.


Business Rates Support for Fife Businesses

As well as the above grant, businesses are being offered a range of relief or discount schemes. To check if your business qualifies please visit Fife Council's Business Rates Reduction page.

 

The Creative Sector

To help support the country's creative industries against the impact of COVID-19, Creative Scotland has launched three funding programmes:
  1. A Creative Scotland Bridging Bursary Fund (Currently Paused)
  2. Screen Scotland Bridging Bursary Fund (Currently Paused)
  3. Open Fund: Sustaining Creative Development - aims to enable organisations to explore ways of working that will help them to adapt and respond to the current changing circumstances.
Applications opened 30th March 2020.


 

Virtual and Local Business Support

We have also put in place actions to allow us to deliver a virtual advisory and workshop service. Plus our experienced advisers can offer free support with a wide range of business matters including continuity planning, managing cashflow and dealing with suppliers.


This service is in addition to the previously announced support listed below:
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
HMRC Tax Time to Pay Scheme
Support for Businesses Paying Satutory Sick Pay
Deferring VAT & Income Tax Payments
More Coronavirus Business Support Available >>
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