Another week – and more changes to financial assistance schemes for businesses. See below for information on the extension to the furlough scheme and increased self-employment support:
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS): Workers across the United Kingdom will benefit from increased support with a five-month extension of the furlough scheme, which will now run until the end of March, with employees receiving 80% of their current salary for hours not worked. Find out more here.
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Grant Extension: The third grant will cover a 3 month period from 1 November 2020 until 31 January 2021. The Government will provide a taxable grant calculated at 80% of 3 months average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment and capped at £7,500 in total. This is an increase from the previously announced amount of 55%. The online service for the next grant will be available from 30 November 2020. HMRC will provide full details about claiming and applications in guidance on GOV.UK in due course. Read more here.
The Young Person’s Guarantee: The Young Person’s Guarantee offers the opportunity of a job, placement, training or volunteering for every 16-24 year old in Scotland – based on their own goals and ambitions; connecting them to opportunities and signposting to people and information that can help.
Employers can be given the resources and support to develop and build their workforce with young talent. To find out more email youngpersonguar@gov.scot or click here. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Tourism and Hospitality Sector Guidance: These questions and answers are aimed at providing further clarity to sector businesses following publication of Scottish Government sectoral guidance, and subsequent statutory guidance and additional measures for the hospitality sector. take a look here. Free Digital Marketing Courses at Abertay University: Abertay University is to run a second round of upskilling courses following a spike in demand from local businesses and their employees in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The free courses are funded by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC). The next round of courses begin on November 16 and participants can visit https://www.abertay.ac.uk/shortcourses to find out more and book.
Supporting Communities Safely Advice: Find advice for community groups, organisations and volunteer networks on how to virus proof activities such as delivering and collecting from people's houses and reduce the risk of indirect spread in this useful guide from SCDC and Public Health Scotland.
Photo: Progression Bikes, part of Smart Village Perthshire Adventure Adventure Tourism Week: Visit Scotland have joined forces with Wild Scotland and Sail Scotland to organise the inaugural Adventure Tourism Week from 16 – 20 November. The week aims to bring together marine, activity, wildlife and adventure operators from across Scotland. There will be up to two online sessions each day during the week, with each session lasting no longer than an hour. You can choose which sessions you wish to attend, and registration is free. See a list of events here. And have a look at Perthshire Adventure – a collaboration of seven businesses offering a range of exciting outdoor activities in rural Perthshire – www.perthshire-adventure.scot If you’re posting about Adventure Tourism Week on social media remember to use #ScotATW and tag @visitscotnews, @wildscotland and @sailscotland.
HIE Nexus Webinar with Neatebox: Highlands and Islands Enterprise is holding a free webinar with Neatebox on Wednesday 11 November, 2pm. Neatebox is a company that aims to build smart solutions based on the challenges disabled people face every day. Guest speaker Gavin Neate, Founder and CEO will be discussing how his applications “Button” and “WelcoMe” are directly and positively influencing the lives of disabled people. Please register here by 5pm Tuesday 10 November to secure your spot. GrowBiz Mentoring Programme: GrowBiz are extending their award-winning programme into the Cairngorms National Park and will be running a Mentor Training Programme on the 12th November for the first group of mentors. If you are based in the Cairngorms National Park and would like more information on how you can get involved, please get in touch or click here for more information.
