We’ll be answering your questions about the #coronavirus support schemes announced by the Chancellor @rishisunak between 3-4pm today.
Want to know more about small business loans, job retention or our support for charities, just reply to this tweet with your question.
Want to know more about small business loans, job retention or our support for charities, just reply to this tweet with your question.
Hi Becca. Owner/managers paying themselves through PAYE are able to be furloughed. Dividend income isn’t counted on the scheme because it would include those taking dividends from others sources. We used tax returns as we needed the system up and running as quick as possible.
Hi Eloise. The furlough scheme is designed to keep people attached to their companies and to be paid through payroll, so I’m afraid we can’t pay it to those who have been made redundant. As you say employers can take people back on but that is a decision for them.
Hi Michelle. Yes – if you were paid through PAYE you can be furloughed. And the system recognises that people may have variable pay and there is guidance on how to calculate what is owed gov.uk/guidance/claim…
Hi Adele. If you’re furloughed you can continue to perform your statutory obligations as a Director but not beyond that – the guidance is here: gov.uk/guidance/check…
Hi Robert. We understand that frustration but as the self-employed are a very diverse group we have had to design the schemes so they focus support on those with lower earnings. We have expanded Universal Credit to make it more generous.
Hi Jessica. Lots of that guidance should already be available – and both agencies and umbrella companies can furlough people. You’ll find more details here: gov.uk/guidance/check…
Hi Diane. It’s normal that banks need information about people’s ability to repay, but the Chancellor has outlined changes to prevent personal guarantees from being asked for loans under 250k, and a streamlined process for getting them approved specifically for small businesses.
Hi John. The CBILS loans are designed to help fundamentally viable companies who are experiencing difficulties as a result of Covid-19. We made changes to the system to make it easier for people to get access to them and have seen an increase in money getting out as a result.
Hi. Very fair question and we’ll be publishing updated guidance to cover this point next week.
Hi Annette. This is a really difficult one, but we do have to make choices in these schemes so we can get support to people as fast as we can, and avoid fraud. That’s why we have a specific cut off date when we can tell people were attached to a company.
Hi Laura. We don’t know the details of your situation but Universal Credit should increase and decrease depending on your circumstances. We’ve announced additional support including council tax relief and hardship funds through your local council so we’d suggest you contact them.
Hi Simon. Great photos on your site! HMRC will contact you if you are eligible for the self-employed scheme – you can find the criteria here gov.uk/guidance/claim…. You can claim UC if you need to.
The general advice for the public sector is that people should continue to be paid and to contribute to our response to the coronavirus situation gov.uk/guidance/check…. As that page says you can check for more information through the Department for Education.
Thanks Jennifer. We can’t force the landlord to do this, but we have legislated so that no business can be forced out of their premises for not paying rent in the coming 3 months. We hope your husband and father are also able to access other help available should they need it.
Thanks Collette. We don’t know the specifics here but where a company becomes insolvent the administrators can access the furloughing scheme. If that isn’t possible, then we have strengthened the safety net through universal credit with £7bn of additional funding.
Thanks for all your questions, we've tried to answer a selection of different topics, so even if we haven't replied to you directly hopefully there is an answer for you in this thread. Visit businesssupport.gov.uk for more information. cards.twitter.com/cards/b96va/9b…
