It's the start of a new month and also of a new phase of lockdown. Most of us will be eager to meet up with friends and family if we can do so safely, and some of us will also be going back to work. This will likely involve lots of preparation and may alter the way your business is run. But we are here to help, keep reading for the latest news:
Changes to the Furlough Scheme: From 1 July 2020, businesses will be have the flexibility to bring furloughed employees back to work part time and will be responsible for paying their wages while in work. From August 2020 the amount of government grant provided will be tapered, dropping to 70% in September and 60% in October. The scheme will close to new entrants on 30 June. Find out more here.
Extension of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme: Those eligible under the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme will be able to claim a second and final grant in August, worth 70% of their average monthly trading profits. This will cover three months’ worth of profits—capped at a total of £6,570—and will be paid out in a single instalment. Find out more here.
National Volunteers Week: Running from 1-7 June this year, National Volunteers Week is an annual celebration of the contributions millions of volunteers make across the UK. If you would like to join in by giving something back to your community, you could consider volunteering your time to help others by becoming a GrowBiz mentor—someone who can provide support and guidance to a fellow business owner in need of expanding their horizons. Find out more here.
Scottish Enterprise, Getting Back to Work: Clare Alexander, Head of Business Models and Workplace Innovation at Scottish Enterprise, outlines steps your business can take to go from survival to growth as lockdown measures are eased, including a Return To Work Planning Checklist, here.
Scottish Rural Action Survey: Scottish Rural Action are looking for an insight into how your community is responding to the coronavirus crisis and would like to hear your views on what would strengthen its economy and wellbeing. The survey takes about eight minutes and will be repeated every four weeks. Take it here.
GrowBiz AGM: The GrowBiz trustees held their annual AGM on Thursday 20th May. It had been the intention to incorporate this with a GrowBiz monthly networking meeting but due to the current lockdown this wasn't possible. Once they are able to gather again in larger groups the trustees plan to attend future XChange meetings to give clients the opportunity to meet and network with them.
The AGM included the annual report by Chair of Trustees Ian McCormick with updates and a summary of all that has been achieved as a charity and a board over the last 12 months. He congratulated the GrowBiz team on the flexible and responsive support they continue to deliver to clients particularly during the last three challenging months. Business matters included the approval of accounts and in line with the articles a third of the Trustees. Euan Walker and Sarah Brown stepped down and both were re-elected.
GrowBiz is currently recruiting for new trustees to the board from rural Scotland, and in particular seeking individuals with a background funding/finance or a knowledge of the rural economy and enterprise. If you are interested in joining as a volunteer trustee and providing strategic support and guidance to GrowBiz, please visit the website here or contact jackie@growbiz.co.uk.
Kommentare