LB Weekly Highlights – 21 May 2021

The new Help to Grow programme is now open for registrations
The government programme launches in June, aiming to help small and medium sized businesses across the UK learn new skills, reach new customers and improve profits.

• The Help to Grow Management scheme offers small businesses a 12 week programme delivered by leading business schools across the UK, accredited by the Small Business Charter.
  • See: https://smallbusinesscharter.org/help-to-grow-management/
• The Help to Grow Digital Scheme will enable small businesses to get free impartial advice on how technology can boost their performance through a new online platform.
  • See: https://register-help-to-grow-scheme.service.gov.uk/

For more information on the programme see our video below or click here to watch on YouTube 

HMRC urge businesses to carry out due diligence into their labour supply chain
HMRC is warning organisations about the use of mini umbrella companies in the labour supply chain and the need to carry out due diligence to protect the organisation from financial and reputational damage.

HMRC have provided the following advice on due diligence procedures – see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/use-of-labour-providers/advice-on-applying-supply-chain-due-diligence-principles-to-assure-your-labour-supply-chains

What are the risks? HMRC can ask you to account for unpaid tax and National Insurance contributions.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/use-of-labour-providers/10-things-about-due-diligence-supply-chain-assurance 

Employers’ NICs Relief for employees working in Freeport tax areas
The government have announced a new zero rate of secondary Class 1 National Insurance contributions (NICs) for eligible employers on the earnings of eligible employees working in a Freeport tax site. See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/zero-rate-of-secondary-national-insurance-contributions-for-freeport-employees/zero-rate-of-secondary-nics-for-freeport-employees  

NHS Test and Trace in the workplace
The guidance on what to do if you or someone you employ is contacted by NHS Test and Trace, including self-isolation, sick pay and financial support has been updated following the recent relaxations in lockdown rules.
See: NHS Test and Trace in the workplace – GOV.UK

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS)
Watch videos and register for the free webinars to learn more about the support available to help you deal with the economic impacts of coronavirus. A catch up webinar for the SEISS – fourth grant has been added: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-and-support-if-your-business-is-affected-by-coronavirus-covid-19

Maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors (NHS Test and Trace)
Designated venues in certain sectors must have a system in place to request and record contact details of their customers, visitors, and staff to help break the chains of transmission of coronavirus. This has been updated in line with step 3 of the roadmap to explain how certain venues should be collecting customer, visitor and staff contact details and displaying an NHS QR code poster.

See: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/maintaining-records-of-staff-customers-and-visitors-to-support-nhs-test-and-trace

Landlord right to rent checks
The temporary COVID-19 adjusted right to rent checks will now end on 20 June 2021, and from 21 June 2021 landlords will revert to face to face and physical document checks as set out in legislation and guidance. See further details here.

Checks continue to be necessary and you must continue to check the prescribed documents set out in Landlords Guide to Right to Rent or use the online right to rent checking service. It remains an offence to knowingly rent to a person who does not have the right to rent in the UK

If you have any questions or would like to discuss any topics further, then please get in touch. You can call us on 01243 782 423, or email [email protected]. To see our other Weekly Roundup webinars head to our Videos and Podcasts page, or you can subscribe to our YouTube Channel!