Urgent support needed for small firms in Liverpool City Region carrying the cost of re-opening delay

THE Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) are calling for:- "urgent support needed for small firms" to be given, after Prime Minister, Boris Johnson's announcement of a 4 week delay to the final stage of the unlocking roadmap in England. This video interview is with Phil McCabe, who is the Development Manager, Merseyside, and Cheshire for the Federation of Small Businesses. Within this video, he explains that it is fully understandable that as this pandemic evolves, the goalposts too will move, but many small firms who have been hanging onto the edge will be left wondering if they can survive further periods of restrictions without additional support. He also adds information about why it is critical to saving thousands of businesses by giving yet more support, at a time when so many small firms need that helping hand to survive, and yet again face an immense financial as support is now ending. Within this interview, he adds information on what immediate steps to support small businesses in order to prevent further economic casualties

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To add to this interview you can also see our report on our daily update, published on 15 June 2021, by clicking on here. Also for more information is available at:- FSB.Org.UK. You can also follow the FSB on Twitter and Facebook.

North West small businesses encouraged to apply for Brexit Support Funding before 30 June deadline

WITH just days to go before the deadline, small and medium sized businesses in the North West are being encouraged to apply for funding to help them adapt to new customs and tax rules when trading with the EU. The ₤20m Brexit Support Fund, which closes 30 June 2021, enables businesses who trade with the EU to access up to ₤2,000 of funding for practical support including training and professional advice on new customs, rules of origin and VAT processes. Since launching in March 2021, more than 12,000 businesses across the UK have registered for the fund. In the North West, 297 businesses have submitted applications, with a total of ₤434,658 in funding applied for so far.

Katherine Green and Sophie Dean, Directors General, Borders and Trade, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) said:- "Smaller businesses who trade with the EU have a vital role in our economy and we understand they may have experienced a more challenging time than larger businesses in adapting to changes. We would encourage small and medium businesses impacted by new importing and exporting rules, to apply for funding today."

To be eligible for the grant, businesses must have no more than 500 employees and turnover no more than ₤100m. They must only import or export goods between Great Britain and the EU, or move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. If businesses already import or export goods to and from a non-EU country, they are not eligible.

More information on the fund and how to apply can be found on:- Gov.UK.

In addition to the funding, small and medium businesses can access specialist advice and support:-

►  On the phone, by calling then HMRC helplines, this includes a dedicated HMRC imports and exports enquiry service which is available via phone on:- 03003229434 or use the online webchat facility.

►  Businesses can also sign up for a webinars with policy specialists, also on:- Gov.UK.

►  Businesses can use the Brexit Checker Tool on:- Gov.UK/Brexit, which gives businesses a personalised list of actions that they need to take.

Additional support is available to businesses moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland through the Trader Support Service.

Time running out for businesses to apply for restart grants

LIVERPOOL City Council is warning businesses that time is running out to apply for funding to help cover the costs of reopening in a Covid safe way. A total of 3,281 businesses in the City have so far benefited from Government Covid19 restart grants totalling ₤25.5 million. However, there is still more than ₤5 million available in funding for sectors including:- non-essential retail, hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gyms; and businesses who have not yet applied are being urged to do so by the closing date of 30 June 2021. The link to apply for a Restart Grant is:- Liverpool.Gov.UK/Restartgrant.

The Council is also distributing a further ₤6.5 million in discretionary support funding made available to the Local Authority by the Government, for businesses who do not meet the mandatory criteria for grants. A massive 1,300 applications have been appraised over the last couple of weeks after the Council proactively contacted businesses who received grants last year and urged them to reapply. The team have processed grant applications for amounts between ₤1,200 and ₤15,200 that will help 597 self employed, home based or sole traders and support the continued operation of 729 business premises.

Deputy Mayor and Cabinet member for Finance and Resources, Councillor Jane Corbett, said:- "Time is running out for those businesses which haven't yet applied for the Government's Restart Grant and they need to do so by the end of the month. Many business have really struggled since the Pandemic began through no fault of their own. We would urge them to go online and apply as soon as possible to make sure they meet the deadline and get the funding they are entitled to. Our team have also gone above and beyond to proactively contact businesses who have previously received discretionary funding because they do not meet the Government's criteria for support, and encourage them to reapply. We hope this will go some way towards helping them deal with the cost of the Pandemic and ensure their continued survival. We recognise businesses are the life blood of the local economy, which is why we have worked hard to make sure they know there is funding available. We would urge Government to make further funding available for businesses, particularly for those sectors that continue to be affected by the restrictions."