Coronavirus (COVID-19) Businesses and Employers Bulletin - 26 June 2020

This bulletin is issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and provides the latest information for employers and businesses on coronavirus (COVID-19). All coronavirus business support information can be found at gov.uk/business-support

• Government outlines support for pubs, cafes and restaurants
• Pay Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme grants back if you have over-claimed
• New Updates and Guidance
• Requests for Business Intelligence and Assistance

Government outlines support for pubs, cafes and restaurants

More pubs, restaurants and cafes will be able to serve customers outdoors in plans announced by the government.

• The government will simplify and reduce the costs of the licensing process for outdoor seating and stalls, making it easier for people to safely drink and dine outside. 
• Proposed planning freedoms will mean that outdoor markets, pop-up car-boot sales or summer fairs will not need a planning application.
• Pubs and restaurants will be able to use car parks and terraces as dining and drinking areas, using their existing seating licenses.
• Temporary changes to licensing laws will allow many more licensed premises, such as pubs and restaurants, to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises. Customers will be able to buy their drinks from a pub and consume them elsewhere, making social distancing easier.

These measures will give an immediate and much needed boost to many businesses, whilst supporting them to successfully reopen over the summer. Find more here.

Pay Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme grants back if you have over-claimed

Find out how to pay all or some of your grant back if you've overclaimed through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. You can:

• correct it in your next claim
• make a payment to HMRC (only if you’re not making another claim)
• You’ll need your 14 or 15 digit payment reference number that begins with X
• Find out more here. 

New Updates and Guidance

New

Driving lessons, theory tests and driving tests to restart in England

Driving lessons and theory tests will restart on Saturday 4 July 2020 in England, and car driving tests will restart from Wednesday 22 July 2020. Find out more here.

Applying for a moratorium under the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020

How to apply for breathing space to consider a rescue plan for your company, under measures to support companies and other types of business in financial difficulty. The directors must file for or apply to court for a moratorium. It will give the company 20 business days to consider rescue options. Find out more here.

Working safely in heritage locations guidance

This guidance is relevant to those who operate or work in heritage attractions. Find out more here.

Updated

Vehicles guidance update

The vehicles guidance has been updated to include details on amending the 2m social distancing rule and details on support bubbles. Find out more here.

Requests for Business Intelligence and Assistance

Offer coronavirus support

Tell us how your business might be able to help with the response to coronavirus by using our online service.

Share the impact coronavirus is having on your organisation 

Let us know how the outbreak is impacting your business.  Please send your intelligence, including information and feedback on the safer workplace guidance, to intel@beis.gov.uk. Commercially sensitive information will be treated accordingly.  Please note that this inbox is only for receiving intelligence and does not provide business advice.  

Help us shine a light on the stories of key workers 

Tell us about key workers you know that are helping to keep the UK moving during the Coronavirus pandemic. Please fill in this online form for key workers in the following sectors: manufacturing, construction, consumer goods, scientists/researchers, servicing, postal workers, and  oil/gas/electricity/water/sewage/chemical workers. 

Other useful links

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 

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