Business rates relief and reform
Business rates relief and reform may well be on the cards. Expect an extension to business rates relief in the Budget on 3 March and indications of the path business rate reform might take.
Support for local businesses during second lockdown
Reminder of Local Restrictions Support Grant and Additional Restrictions Grant and status of application processes and contact details for local administering authorities.
Amendments to the Finance Bill 2020
Amendments to the Finance Bill include treating coronavirus payments as taxable income, not disadvantaging those who came out of retirement or usually work abroad to help in the pandemic, treating Covid-19 as an exceptional circumstance for higher rate SDLT reclaims and encouraging Future Fund investors.
Cautious easing of lockdown from 4 July
Which business sectors can reopen under Covid-19 Secure conditions from 4 July and if you can’t observe 2m social distancing, what 1m+ means.
Code of practice for commercial property sector
The Government has published a code of practice for the commercial property sector, creating best practice for negotiating affordable mutually beneficial rental agreements. It was drawn up with the support of leading representative bodies from the sector.
Update on Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund
Government issues promised guidance to Local Authorities regarding the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund, aimed at helping small and microbusinesses that were not eligible for previous grant funding.