For the latest medical advice, visit NHS.uk/Coronavirus.
On the left-hand side of this page (or at the bottom, if you're on a mobile device) you can see a number of links which set out the support for businesses and individuals, as well as more information on the Coronavirus outbreak
New 'Tier' system to control local rates of coronavirus
A ‘Tier’ system has been announced for regions and local authority areas across the country. Areas will be placed in tiers ranged from 1 to 3 based on the severity of local infection rates and hospitalisations.
• Tier 1 (medium risk): The current national measures of the rule of 6 and 10pm curfew on pubs apply.
• Tier 2 (high risk): All social mixing between households indoors is banned but mixing outdoors (including private gardens) will be allowed with the rule of 6 and maintaining social distancing.
• Tier 3 (very high risk): Social mixing is prohibited in all settings, along with the full closure of pubs and bars.
The whole East Worthing and Shoreham constituency is placed at Tier 1
Please remember to only get tested if you have symptoms, but if you have a new, continuous cough, a temperature, a loss or change of taste or smell, you should go to gov.uk/Coronavirus and book a test.
We should continue to remember the basics of hands, face and space.
Continue to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, wear a face covering in enclosed spaces, and keep 2 meters apart from people you do not live with.
A plan to support our economy this winter
The Chancellor Rishi Sunak set out the next stage of the government's economic response to Coronavirus in the House of Commons.
When we went into lockdown in March this year, the government announced a number of schemes to help support people's jobs and incomes as we worked to slow the spread of coronavirus. Most businesses had to close as we all stayed at home. As the economy has re-opened in recent months, the challenges we face have changed. The virus is still with us, and new restrictions will often mean reduced demand, particularly in the hospitality sector.
The government has set out a new package of measures to support our economy this winter. This includes:
Coronavirus Job Support Scheme
The Coronavirus Job Retention (Furlough) Scheme helped to protect people's jobs and incomes during the lockdown so that workers who couldn't work during the crisis continued to be paid.
The new Job Support Scheme will support the wages of people who are in work, giving businesses who face reduced demand over the winter the option of keeping employees in a job on shorter hours, rather than making them redundant.
The scheme aims to support viable jobs for the future, so employees must continue to work at least a third of their normal hours and be paid for that work by their employer. The government will then top-up people's wages, with a third of the pay they have lost from reduced hours being paid for by the government, and the other third being paid for by employees. In total, employees will receive at least 77% of their normal salary.
The scheme will run from November to April. and all small and medium-sized businesses are eligible. Larger businesses can also apply, but only when their turnover has fallen. Workers employed as of yesterday are eligible, and any business can take part, even if they have not previously used the furlough scheme.
Support for the self-employed
To support the self-employed throughout the winter, the existing Self-Employed Income Support Grant will be extended on similar terms and conditions to the new Job Support Scheme.
Pay As You Grow
Earlier this year, the government introduced Bounce Back Loans to provide quick, first-year interest-free loans to businesses. Today, the government is providing greater flexibility on the repayment of these loans by introducing Pay As You Grow.
This means that loans can be extended from six to ten years, nearly halving the average monthly repayments. Businesses which are struggling can also choose to make interest-only payments, and any businesses in trouble can suspend repayments completely for six months.
Government-Backed Loan Deadline
The deadline to apply for any of the government-backed loans has been extended until the end of the year, and a new successor loan programme will begin in January.
VAT deferral scheme
Businesses were given the option to defer their VAT payments earlier this year. These payments are due in one lump sum in March, but businesses will now be given the option to spread their VAT bill over 11 repayments, with no interest to pay.
Self-assessment tax deferral
Self-assessed income taxpayers can also extend their outstanding tax bill over 12 months from January.
VAT cut extended
Earlier this year the government cut VAT for the hospitality and tourism sectors from 20% to 5%. To help protect jobs throughout the winter, the cut will be extended until 31st March next year.
Stay safe from coronavirus scams
There have been concerning reports of NHS contact tracing scams by those trying to take advantage of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Contract tracers will NEVER:
❌ ask you to make payment.
❌ ask any details about your bank account.
❌ ask you for any passwords or PINs.
❌ ask you to download anything