It's the last week in February, which means spring is just around the corner and hopefully brighter days in more ways than one. There's a long way to go though, and many businesses are still struggling. In this blog you'll find details of new funding options available and more:
Newly Self-Employed Hardship Fund: The scheme offers a one-off £4,000 payment for those whose status as being newly self-employed makes them ineligible for the UK Government’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) Self-employment Income Support Scheme. Currently reopened, the deadline for applications is 5pm on 16 March 2021. Find out more here.
Mobile And Home Based Close Contact Services Fund: This fund is for owners and operators of mobile and home-based close contact service businesses and for registered driving instructors. Eligible applicants will receive a one-off £4,000 payment (£2,000 for the period to end December 2020 and a further £2,000 to cover the period from January 2021 onwards). The deadline for applications is 5pm on 16 March 2021. Find out more here.
Further Support for Freelancers and the Events Sector: Further emergency coronavirus (COVID-19) funding has been allocated to support creative freelancers and the events sector by means of the Pivotal Event Businesses Fund, the Events Industry Support Fund 2 and the Creative Freelancers Hardship fund. Find out more here.
REDS Fund: This fund is now available to REDS members who have not been eligible for any of the Covid-19 government support schemes and who are facing genuine hardship. As the fund grows, applications will be accepted from all REDS members. Find out more here.
British Chamber of Commerce Webinars on the Future of UK-EU Trade Relations: Join the British Chambers of Commerce in their Year of Trade Programme on March 2 01:30 PM as they look at what the new arrangements mean for service providers and businesses reliant on using data, both under the agreement and the potential for an adequacy agreement (with possible legal implications). Register here.
Two more events, around VAT and building on the UK/EU deal are also scheduled for March.