Weekly Digest – 27 March 2020

Resources to Help You During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Over the course of a few weeks, nearly everyone’s business and life has been turned upside down. With that disruption in mind, here are a few updates and resources that may be helpful.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

The government has announced you can receive £94.25 per week (no less) in Statutory Sick Pay if you’re too sick to work. This is paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks. Details can be found here.

If you’re self-isolation because of coronavirus, you can get SSP with some conditions. You need to be eligible for SSP and have been off work sick for 4 or more days in a row (including non-working days). There are different sick pay rules for agricultural workers.

Universal Credit – for low income or out of work

Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs – usually paid monthly. You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income or out of work. Find out more here.

Self Employment Support Scheme

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a scheme to support the UK’s self-employed affected by the coronavirus outbreak. This includes

  • direct cash grant of 80% of their profits, up to £2,500 per month
  • latest announcement in a package of government support to protect businesses and individuals

Millions of people across the UK could benefit from the new Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, with those eligible receiving a cash grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profit over the last three years. This covers 95% of people who receive the majority of their income from self-employment.

Cleaners, plumbers, electricians, musicians, hairdressers and many other self-employed people who are eligible for the new scheme will be able to apply directly to HMRC for the taxable grant, using an online form, with the cash being paid directly into people’s bank account.

HMRC will use average trading profits from tax returns in 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 to determine the size of the grant.

You can get more details here but there will be more info coming from HMRC later.

Get in touch with us if you have a question.

Working from home when your kids are out of school

This podcast interview with a 26-year veteran of home-schooling and working has great ideas and resources for making it all work. The most surprising insight is that kids may only need two or three hours to complete the academic tasks that keep them out of the house for seven or more hours when school is in session.

Police given new powers to respond to coronavirus

Yesterday (26 March 2020) the government has made new public health regulations strengthening police enforcement powers in England, to reduce the spread of coronavirus, protect the NHS and save lives. To ensure people stay at home and avoid non-essential travel, from today, if members of the public do not comply the police may:

  • instruct them to go home, leave an area or disperse
  • ensure parents are taking necessary steps to stop their children breaking these rules
  • issue a fixed penalty notice of £60, which will be lowered to £30 if paid within 14 days
  • issue a fixed penalty notice of £120 for second time offenders, doubling on each further repeat offence

Take care of yourself

We sincerely hope that you and your family are well and remain well. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are all in this together!