This week the Government has introduced new support measures to assist businesses suffering this winter as a result of the Omicron variant.

Solvent businesses in the Hospitality and Leisure industry in England will be eligible for one-off grants of up to £6,000 per premises.

Grants will be administered by local authorities and should be available in the coming weeks. You need to contact your local authority (or review their website) for further information on the claim process, including the deadline date for applications.

The value of your grant will be determined by the rateable value of your business premises:

• Businesses with a rateable value of up to £15,000 will be eligible for grants of £2,700.
• Businesses with a rateable value from £15,000 to £51,000 will be eligible for grants of £4,000.
• Businesses with a rateable value of over £51,000 will be eligible for grants of £6,000.

If you are an employer with less than 250 employees, and you’ve paid statutory sick pay to your employees for absences linked to coronavirus related sickness or self-isolation, you could be eligible for the latest support. 

You will receive repayments at the relevant standard rate of SSP that you paid to your current or former employees for an eligible period of sickness starting on or after 21st December 2021. 

You will be able to reclaim the costs for up to two week fo SSP for an employee who takes time off because of CoronaVirus. This is regardless of whether you claimed for that employee under the previous schemes. 

You will be able to make claims retrospectively from Mid January. Your agent can make claims on your behalf.

HMRC will support businesses facing difficulties in paying tax due to the pandemic, through ‘Time to Pay’ arrangements.

HMRC will consider offering businesses in Hospitality and Leisure sectors the option of a short payment delay and the option to pay in installments. We recommend you contact HMRC before the payment becomes overdue to negotiate.

HMRC are urging people to be on their guard for potential scams, particularly where arrest is being threatened or a request for the urgent transfer of funds.  Also be aware of calls or emails advising of refunds due to you and requesting your bank account details.

Please visit the HMRC website or contact HMRC to verify information.