Coronavirus business support

Winding down

The support schemes put in place to help businesses through the coronavirus pandemic have been wound down or withdrawn from 30 September 2021. It is possible that some of these schemes will be reinstated if COVID-19 restrictions have to be reimposed in the winter, but below is what we know so far.

Employers

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) ended on 30 September. All CJRS claims for furlough grants to reimburse 60% of the pay of furloughed employees must reach HMRC by 14 October 2021.

Smaller employers with fewer than 250 employees have been able to claim refunds of the statutory sick pay (SSP) paid to employees who are absent from work due to coronavirus-related reasons. A maximum of 14 days of SSP paid per employee can be reclaimed.

This refund scheme will no longer apply for periods of absence from 1 October 2021 onwards. Employers will have until 31 December to make SSP refund claims and to amend any earlier claims.

Self-employed

The deadline for claiming the fifth and final Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant was 30 September 2021.

Hospitality sector

The reduced VAT rate of 5% for the hospitality sector rose to 12.5% on 1 October 2021. It then rises to 20% on 1 April 2022, as explained in VAT changes for hospitality

Business rates

The business rates holiday continues to 31 March for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses plus charities located in Wales and Northern Ireland, but with a cap on the value of the Welsh property that can qualify of £500,000.

Business premises in England used for retail, hospitality, leisure or child nurseries also qualify for a discount of up to two thirds of their business rates for the period from 1 July 2021 to 31 March 2022, but there is a cap on this relief of £105,000 per business.

Businesses in Scotland should contact their local authority to check the business rates relief for which they qualify.

Please contact us if you have any questions about the ending of Coronavirus measures.