With the rise of the new COVID variant, Omnicron, the Government has now put in place several schemes to support businesses in the hospitality and leisure sector during these challenging times.
Support Grants
Pubs and restaurants have begun to see a rise in cancellations and reduced footfall as the public responds to the rise in cases ahead of Christmas. During, what should be, their busiest and most profitable time of the year, many businesses are reporting losses of around 40-60% of their December trade, posing a risk to the sector.
Because of these new challenges, businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors will now be eligible to apply for one-off grants of up to £6,000 per premises to support their operations. On top of this, local authorities will also now have access to more than £100 million worth of discretionary funding to support other businesses that may be affected.
Statutory sick pay
The government has also promised to cover any Statutory Sick Pay for coronavirus-related absences for any small and medium-sized employers across the UK. Employers with fewer than 250 employees who pay for any coronavirus-linked absences their employees may suffer from. Businesses can expect to receive repayments at the relevant standard rate of SSP that they paid their current or former employees for any eligible periods of sickness starting on or after 21st December 2021.
Businesses will be able to reclaim the costs for up to two weeks of SSP for an employee who takes time off because of coronavirus. Businesses will also be able to make claims regardless of whether they have claimed for that employee previously under the scheme. Claims can be made retrospectively from mid-January.
Time to Pay arrangements
Due to the disruption caused by the Omnicron variant, HMRC has also made claims that it also is looking to support any business in the hospitality and leisure sectors who have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic through their Time to Pay arrangements, where businesses can pay what they owe in affordable installments. This support, in particular, focuses on the option of a short delay, and payment in installments, on a case-by-case basis.
How can Animo help?
Here at Animo, we realise how confusing these times can be for business owners and so if you are worried about how the spread of the new variant may affect your business or have any queries about the support outlined above, get in contact with one of our expert consultants today who will be able to offer valuable insights on best practices for your business. Get in contact with us today by calling (0)207 060 0835, emailing at info@animoassociates.com, or by filling in a contact form.
