Coronavirus: sector-specific support

Manufacturing

If you remain open during the current restrictions, operations must adhere to the current safe working rules and staff wellbeing upheld.

Guidance about working safely has been issued by the government. Your business may operate more than one type of workplace, therefore it is important that you refer to all of the relevant publications.

Make UK

MakeUK have a range of resources, template letters and toolkits for manufacturing businesses, as well as set of Coronavirus-related FAQs.

Manufacturing Growth Programme

The Manufacturing Growth Fund have developed a range of resources and guidance to ensure SME manufacturers have the support to ensure that they can act quickly as the situation unfolds.

They also provide grant funding towards the investment of an external expert. Their specialism could cover a range of topics and there is a lot of flexibility with regards to the projects that it can cover.

Apprentices

If you are working with young people in an education setting, you can find the Department for Education’s guidance for schools and educational settings here.

Digital & Creative

Culture Recovery Fund

Check the latest government funding for the cultural sector here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/funding-available-through-the-culture-recovery-fund

Digital Advantage Grant Scheme

The Digital Advantage Grant scheme, funded through the European Regional Development Fund and Coventry University, has been extended for a further 3 years to help SME’s in North Yorkshire (excluding York) grow through the adoption of digital technology. You can read more in our news item.

Tech Nation

Tech Nation has put together a series of webinars, blogs, advice and free products for the tech community, which you can access here.

All non-essential retail must close, and hotels and guest accommodation will remain shut apart from for the specific reasons detailed in the government guidance. Pubs and restaurants that serve food are able to provide a take away service, but take away alcohol is prohibited. Garden centres will remain open, as will dentists and opticians.

Lockdown grants

The government has announced £4.6bn in new lockdown grants. This includes a one-off payment of up to £9,000 per property for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses.

VAT reduction

To continue supporting over 150,000 businesses and protect 2.4 million jobs, the Government has extended the 15% VAT cut for the tourism and hospitality sectors to the end of March next year.

Business Rates Holiday for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure

Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors in England will not have to pay business rates for the 2020-21 tax year.

Welcome to Yorkshire

Welcome to Yorkshire have a range of business support and resources on their industry website, which are accessible to all businesses in the tourism sector and not just their members.

Visit Britain

Visit Britain have a dedicated information hub that includes information on the latest support measures and safety guidance.

They are also conducting a regular survey to monitor the impact of COVID-19, which will be used to support the industry through these challenging times.

Agriculture

ADHB

The ADHB have a dedicated Coronavirus hub that includes FAQs, articles and sector specific advice, as well as links to key sources of support.

NFU

The NFU have provided a range of resources for members and non-members covering support measures, regulation and issues, which can be accessed here. They are also lobbying government on key risks facing the sector at this current time.

Food and drink

Businesses can find out more about guidance specific to their sector online:

• Close contact services: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/close-contact-services
• Restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/restaurants-offering-takeaway-or-delivery
• The visitor economy: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/the-visitor-economy

VAT reduction

To continue supporting over 150,000 businesses and protect 2.4 million jobs, the Government has extended the 15% VAT cut for the tourism and hospitality sectors to the end of March next year.

Deliciously Yorkshire

Deliciously Yorkshire have a specific page that provides further support and information for the food and drink sector in Yorkshire. You can locate this here.

Construction

Guidance about working safely has been issued by the government. It is important that you refer to all of the publications relevant to your business.

Advice about site operating procedures during COVID-19 have been produced by the CLC and can be accessed here.

CITB

The CITB have put in place a range of support measures for CITB registered construction employers. This includes:

• the suspension of industry levy collection for an initial period of 3 months
• advanced payment of apprenticeship attendance grants for 2nd and 3rd year apprentices, plus higher apprentices in their final year, to help ensure future skills are retained in the construction industry amid the coronavirus outbreak
• a skills and training fund for micro and small businesses where businesses can apply for a maximum of £10,000
• a skills and training fund for medium-sized businesses where employers with up to 250 employees are eligible to receive up to £25,000
• a leadership and management development fund

 You can find all the information here 

Build UK

Build UK has produced a directory containing sector-specific advice and information.

Apprentices

If you are working with young people in an education setting, you can find the Department for Education’s guidance for schools and educational settings here.

Charity

The government has pledged £750 million to ensure VCSE can continue their vital work supporting the country during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, including £200 million for the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, along with an additional £150 million from dormant bank and building society accounts.

Grants for frontline charities

£750 million pot made up from £360 million direct from government departments and £370 million for smaller charities, including through a grant to the National Lottery Community Fund.