Coronavirus: The Top 7 Resources For SMEs Right Now

We understand that for business owners up and down the country, these unprecedented times come with their own unique set of challenges and most likely, many sleepless nights too. However, it is crucial that SMEs utilise all the support available to them and one of the ways in which to do this is by staying informed via all the relevant resources currently out there.

To help support UK businesses everywhere, we have compiled a list of the top resources for businesses to use during the coronavirus pandemic.

1.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19

Here you will find all the latest information about COVID-19 from the government itself. This is the best place to find government services and information, so you can feel at ease knowing that anything you read via the gov.uk website is entirely reliable.

The above link assists employers and businesses facing challenges due to COVID-19. There are various sections, including additional information on:

• The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
• Deferring VAT and Income Tax Payments
• The statutory sick pay relief package for SMEs
• The 12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality, leisure and nursery businesses in England
• Small business grants of £10k
• The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
• The HMRC Time To Pay Scheme to help with tax

2.

https://www.fsb.org.uk/campaign/covid19.html

The Federation of Small Businesses has a whole campaign aimed at helping SMEs get through the COVID-19 pandemic. The information they provide is under continuous review and is updated often to ensure that businesses in the UK remain accurately informed at all times.

They offer a free webinar that outlines guidance on how to keep your employees safe; how to access funding and credit, and business continuity, including what you can do immediately to secure your firm.

The campaign is broken down into highly informative, bite-size sections, so if you have a particular concern that you want addressing, you can scroll through and access what you need. Whether it is information on how to apply for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme or how to approach paying your tax bill, the FSB has indispensable advice for small businesses like yours.

3.

https://www.cbi.org.uk/coronavirus-hub/

The CBI Coronavirus hub is great for business leaders that find themselves currently inundated with unexpected admin, meaning they don’t necessarily have the time to sift through heaps of information.

Listeners can tune into a daily webinar that provides an update on the Coronavirus pandemic as it happens and its impact on business. The webinars explore important issues, including sick pay and benefits, supporting your workforce through the outbreak and how to access finance.

4.

https://www.cipd.co.uk/news-views/coronavirus

The CIPD has some fantastic resources for small businesses seeking guidance on how to respond to the coronavirus disease. They have a helpful FAQ section on their website specifically geared towards the epidemic where they talk in-depth about the government Coronavirus Job Retention scheme – this includes information about what furlough means for SMEs and how employers can access the scheme.

The FAQs also delve into managing employees who have contracted COVID-19, with information on sick pay and the government announcement regarding reclaiming statutory sick pay (SSP) for businesses with 250 employees or less.

Additionally, the CIPD also provides fact-sheets and guides on the following:

• Absence measurement and flexible working practices
• Getting the most from remote working
• Coronavirus advice for UK employers

5.

https://www.icaew.com/insights/coronavirus/tax

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales have created UK practical business advice amid COVID-19 and continue to update the pages on a continuous basis to ensure that your business and its clients remain informed with all the latest information.

An important resource amongst their Coronavirus insights is the dedicated Coronavirus and tax section. The page provides practical information for businesses on emerging tax issues and touches on key areas, such as:

• The VAT and self-assessment payment referral
• How to manage HMRC and tax compliance

6.

https://www.menzies.co.uk/coronavirus-business-advice/

Menzies has created a Coronavirus section on its website which is full of supporting content for UK businesses. The section is packed with blogs, news articles and webinars covering a wide spectrum of considerations for SMEs.

Additionally, the section also serves a second purpose as it houses all the relevant links needed most by UK businesses right now, including official GOV.UK pages, websites with essential tax help and a direct link to the World Health Organisations (WHO) technical guidance on the COVID-19 pandemic.

7.

https://sentrex.co.uk/service/covid-19-cleaning-guidelines/

For SMEs that have been identified as ones that can remain open during the lockdown on the list of “essential businesses”  outlined by the government, it is vital that you take all the necessary precautions to keep your premises as safe as possible.

Sentrex recommends that sites adopt an enhanced cleaning process to adequately reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission. They have provided COVID-19 cleaning guidelines that cover important aspects including cleaning frequency, specific work instructions with respect to disinfection and most importantly, guidelines for disinfection for known or suspected cases of COVID-19.