Following the announcement of the new national restrictions in place from 5th November 2020 regarding COVID-19, Build UK has issued a flowchart showing what to do if a worker has contracted the virus or has to self-isolate.
The flowchart can be seen below. Build UK published the latest coronavirus information at www.BuildUK.org/coronavirus
The UK government has extended its Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for a month with employees receiving 80% of their current salary (up to a maximum of £2,500) for hours not worked.
There is also a Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant extension providing support to the self-employed in the form of 2 further grants, each available for 3 month periods covering November 2020 to January 2021 and February 2021 to April 2021.
1. Who can claim
To be eligible for the grant extension self-employed individuals, including members of partnerships, must:
- have been previously eligible for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme first and second grant (although they do not have to have claimed the previous grants)
- declare that they intend to continue to trade and either:
- are currently actively trading but are impacted by reduced demand due to coronavirus
- were previously trading but are temporarily unable to do so due to coronavirus
2. What the grant extension covers
The extension will last for 6 months, from November 2020 to April 2021. Grants will be paid in 2 lump sum instalments each covering a three-month period.
The third grant will cover a three-month period from 1st November 2020 until 31st 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 government is providing the same level of support for the self-employed as is being provided for employees through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which has also been extended until March 2021.
The government has already announced that there will be a fourth grant covering February 2021 to April 2021. The government will set out further details, including the level, of the fourth grant in due course.
The grants are taxable income and also subject to National Insurance contributions.
3. How to claim
The online service for the next grant will be available from 30th November 2020. HMRC will provide full details about claiming and applications in guidance on GOV.UK in due course.
