NEW GRANTS FOR BUSINESSES
For those businesses required to close and who previously received the one-off £10,000 payment – we are advised that the £4,000, £6,000 and £9,000 payments will be much easier to obtain.
Additionally, for those currently receiving the £1,334 monthly grant (or 50% fortnightly), I understand that this will be made up into a one-off 42 day payment pro-rata that will last until ‘the Spring’ – the actual date to which it is intended to last will be confirmed in our next communication.
For those businesses whose structure does not comply with the criteria for these Grants, a further ARG fund is due to be made available later in January and I will also advise details once known.
Community Testing
Community testing is to be expanded across all Local Authorities in England to test people without symptoms. Around 1 in 3 people have coronavirus (COVID-19) without displaying any symptoms. Local authorities will be encouraged to target testing to people who cannot work from home during lockdown.
Rapid, regular testing for people without symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) will be made available across the country from this week, with the eligibility of the community testing programme expanded to cover all 317 local authorities.
Update on Nursery / Early Years Education
Early education is vital for children’s development. Nurseries and childminders have worked hard with protective measures in place and enhanced cleaning routines, so that parents can work and children can be educated.
Parents may qualify for funded childcare even if their income has changed due to coronavirus. Working parents on coronavirus support schemes such as furlough will still retain eligibility for childcare support even if their income temporarily falls below the minimum requirement.
As a reminder...
NATIONAL LOCKDOWN
For full details of what you can and cannot do, please check here.
LOOKING AHEAD…..
With the rate of inoculations increasing, the small team at Hinckley BID are now planning many popular Hinckley Town centre events for later in 2021 to drive footfall back into our town centre and showcase our hard pressed Retailers and Service Industry – thank you all for standing firm and fighting through these difficult times – please remember that we are always here to support you.
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Published by Hinckley BID – 12/01/2021
Steve Wegerif 0770 939 4841 – steve@hinckleybid.co.uk
www.hinckleybid.co.uk
We are available 7 days a week during the Covid Pandemic.