COVID-19 furlough scheme update and key risks for employers

As the lockdown continues, the Government has extended access to its coronavirus job retention scheme and employers are settling in to a new way of working. Business life may have drastically changed, but employment law still applies. Gillian Reid, employment law expert with Ware & Kay in York highlights important developments to the furlough scheme and addresses three key risks facing employers. You should check the Government website for the latest guidance in conjunction with this article, as the guidelines on the coronavirus (COVID-19) are changing daily. The guidance and the Treasury direction are inconsistent in places. You should speak to your solicitor for specific advice for your business. Coronavirus job retention scheme update The HMRC online portal opened on 20 April to allow employers to claim the grant covering some employment costs while staff are…

Beware increased fraud risk during the coronavirus – nine scams to watch out for

Unfortunately, alongside all the goodwill and community spirit which is coming to the fore during the current crisis, the coronavirus pandemic will also be seen as an opportunity for criminals and fraudsters. Action Fraud have advised that fraudsters will use any opportunity they can to take money from people. This includes exploiting tragedies and global emergencies and preying on the kind nature of people. Everyone needs to be extra vigilant at this time and watch out for scams such as these. 1. Tricking you into revealing personal information Watch out for suspicious and unexpected emails or text messages asking you to: update your details; click on a link to approve or validate something; or login to your account via a link. 2. Tricking you into handing over your bank card and pin number Take…

Content sources for Government support for UK businesses during the coronavirus pandemic – as at 30 March 2020

Business owners should take advice from an expert commercial solicitor on specific contracts and how the issues set out could apply to their own business.  There are a number of sources of information on the internet that can be consulted for more general guidance some of which will be updated on a regular basis. General guidance can be found by navigating from the Government website. Sources of specific support are listed below in alphabetical order by topic and include: Accommodation providers Bank lending Business loan interruption scheme Business rates Business rates review Business rents Business support grant funding Businesses trading internationally Compulsory closure of businesses: www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close?utm_source=77e9a975-dcba-4146-b1f9-d36e8d01465f&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate www.gov.uk/government/news/government-sets-out-plans-to-enforce-closure-of-businesses-and-other-venues--2 www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance Corporate financing facility: www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses#support-for-larger-firms-through-the-covid-19-corporate-financing-facility www.bankofengland.co.uk/markets/market-notices/2020/ccff-market-notice-march-2020 Data protection…

Government publishes advice for landlords and tenants during the coronavirus crisis

The Government published ‘COVID-19 and renting: guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities’ on 28 March 2020. This guidance gives details of measures to help renters during the current coronavirus crisis. It clarifies the proposals, which the Government announced previously, for a temporary ban on evictions. If you are a landlord, you may be worried about what will happen if your tenant fails to pay the rent and you cannot get your property back. Firstly, the guidance stresses that tenants should continue to pay their rent where they can and to discuss any problems with their landlord. Your tenant will still be liable for the rent during their occupancy and, if they are struggling financially because of the crisis, the possibility of missed payments and default increases; So, it therefore makes sense to address any issues…