GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

by Rob Stokes

Apply for a coronavirus Bounce Back Loan

The Bounce Back Loan scheme will help small and medium-sized businesses to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000.

The government will guarantee 100% of the loan and there won’t be any fees or interest to pay for the first 12 months.

Loan terms will be up to 6 years. No repayments will be due during the first 12 months. The government will work with lenders to agree a low rate of interest for the remaining period of the loan.

The scheme will be delivered through a network of accredited lenders.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-coronavirus-bounce-back-loan

Guidance for UK businesses trading internationally.

UKEF finance and insurance support for exporters is now on a separate page

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-uk-businesses/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-uk-businesses-trading-internationally

Providing apprenticeships during the coronavirus outbreak

Guidance for apprentices, employers, training providers and assessment organisations about changes to apprenticeships – Updated information on furloughed apprentices, end-point assessment, functional skills apprentices and qualification certification.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-apprenticeship-programme-response?utm_source=6b6f1c1f-c8a1-4a49-9320-1b7ebb4f1b95&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate

Digital innovations tested to support vulnerable people during COVID-19 outbreak

New parents, unpaid carers, the homeless, young people and cancer patients could benefit from digital solutions as part of the TechForce19 challenge.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/digital-innovations-tested-to-support-vulnerable-people-during-covid-19-outbreak?utm_source=b1ee4d5d-1144-45a0-a04b-f72f5f6c9a42&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate

Vital routes for supplies and people kept open through coronavirus support package

Government pledges support for freight services to protect flow of goods between the UK, mainland Europe and Northern Ireland

• UK, Ireland and France also agree joint commitment to protecting freight during pandemic
• light rail systems in Sheffield, Manchester, West Midlands, Nottingham and Tyne and Wear also set to receive support
• thousands of volunteers from transport sector are put on standby to support frontline services as new ‘Transport Support Unit’ established, alongside hundreds of government vehicles from the transport network

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/vital-routes-for-supplies-and-people-kept-open-through-coronavirus-support-package?utm_source=b0298748-fe94-4c97-a2c0-ab8b28b694c4&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate