To help businesses and employers understand what the measures
announced by the Chancellor mean for you, please use this page to
navigate the latest guidance for people in Northern Ireland.
Guidance for employees
Read all the latest guidance and
frequently asked questions for employees including
details about statutory sick pay and Universal Credit.
Guidance for self-employed workers
The UK Government has launched a Self-Employment Income Support
Scheme (SEISS) which will support self-employed individuals
(including members of partnerships) who have lost income due to
coronavirus (COVID-19). Details on how to apply can be
found here.
Sickness and disability benefits
Face-to-face assessments
for all sickness and disability benefits will be temporarily
suspended for the next 3 months from Tuesday 17 March.
No further action is required by any claimant as a result of this
change. They will be contacted with advice on next steps.
Travel
Find out all the latest
travel advice and sign up for travel alerts via the
Foreign and Commonwealth (FCO) website.
Businesses
General guidance for employers
The UK Government has published extensive guidance for employers,
including details on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and
what to do if someone is suspected or confirmed to have the
virus.
UK Government support for businesses
The UK Government has set out a package of measures to protect
public services, people and businesses through this period of
disruption caused by COVID-19. Businesses in Northern Ireland can
access the following schemes and announcements:
-
Businesses can receive government grants worth up to 80% of
wages to keep workers in jobs. The Coronavirus Job
Retention Scheme will pay up to £2,500 per worker
each month until the end of July. From August, employers
currently using the scheme will have more flexibility to
bring their furloughed employees back to work part time
whilst still receiving support from the scheme. This will run
for three months from August through to the end of October.
-
Support for businesses through the Business
Interruption Loan Scheme, which will provide loans of up
to £5m, with no interest due for 12 months. This scheme will
be delivered through the British Business
Bank.
-
For larger businesses the Coronavirus Large
Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS), will
provide a Government guarantee of 80% to enable loans of up
to £25 million for firms with an annual turnover of between
£45 million and £500 million.
-
For innovative companies facing financing difficulties due to
the Coronavirus outbreak, the Future Fund will
provide government loans to UK-based companies ranging from
£125,000 to £5 million, subject to at least equal match
funding from private investors.
-
The Bounce Back
Loan scheme will ensure that the smallest businesses
can access 100% government backed loans of up to £50,000,
with no interest or repayment obligations for the first 12
months.
-
Trade Credit Insurance:
The government will temporarily guarantee
business-to-business transactions currently supported by
Trade Credit Insurance, ensuring the majority of insurance
coverage will be maintained across the market. This will
support supply chains and help businesses to trade with
confidence as they can trust that they will be protected if a
customer defaults on payment.
-
Support for businesses who
are paying sick pay to employees.
-
Support for businesses
paying tax.
-
VAT payments for the
next quarter will be deferred, so no business will pay
any VAT for the next three months.
-
Commercial tenants who cannot pay their rent because of
COVID-19 will be protected from
eviction.
-
Coronavirus (COVID-19) support is available to employers and
the self-employed. You may be eligible for loans, tax relief
and cash grants. Use this business support
finder to see what support is available for you and
your business.
Northern Ireland Executive support for businesses
Businesses in Northern Ireland can access the following NI
Executive schemes and support:
-
COVID Small Business Grant - A small business grant of
£10,000 for all businesses with a rateable value up to
£15,000. Rental properties with a sole tenant that meet the
eligibility criteria may also apply. The deadline to register
for this grant scheme is Wednesday 20 May 2020.
-
Hospitality, Tourism and Retail Sectors Grant Scheme - A
grant of £25,000 will be provided to companies in these
sectors with a rateable value from £15,001 up to £51,000. The
deadline to register for this grant scheme is Wednesday 20
May 2020.
-
NI Micro-business Hardship Fund: businesses with fewer than
10 employees that are not eligible for either of the above
grant schemes may be able to apply for emergency funding for
immediate cash-flow difficulties. This scheme is administered
by Invest Northern Ireland on behalf of the Department for
the Economy.
-
Business rates relief: A package of measures including a
three months rates holiday to all businesses in Northern
Ireland and an effective 18% reduction in the Stormont
determined portion of business rates compared to 2019-20.
-
Fishing Industry: The Executive is supporting the fishing
industry through a direct grant scheme for eligible vessels.
-
Creative Support Fund: A £1.5 million package to support
creative projects. This has two strands. Under the Artists
Emergency Fund, artists whose work has been impacted may
apply for grants of up to £5,000. Under the Organisations
Emergency Programme small and medium sized organisations will
be able to apply for maximum funding of £25,000 to help them
develop new projects or programmes.
-
Sports Hardship Fund: a £2,000 grant scheme for any
organisation delivering sport and physical recreation
experiencing short-term financial hardship due to
coronavirus. The deadline to register for this grant scheme
is Wednesday 20 May 2020.
Further detail on these NI Executive business support measures is
available at NI Business Info, an online
service provided by Invest NI.
Business support helplines
HMRC tax helpline
HMRC has set up a helpline for businesses
and self-employed people who are concerned about paying their
tax due to COVID-19. The updated helpline number to
support customers impacted by coronavirus is 0800 024 1222 and is
open from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday. HMRC have introduced this
number to ensure extra capacity on their network so customers can
get through to us more quickly. Calls to the old helpline number
will be redirected.
Invest NI helpline
Get help with your business online, or by calling
the Invest NI helpline.
Telephone: 0800 181 4422
