CBC – information for businesses

Be Central Bedfordshire - Lets Talk Business Newsletter

Business support finder launched to navigate through the Covid-19 support options

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A new ‘support finder’ tool has been launched to help businesses and self-employed people across the UK to quickly and easily determine what financial support is available to them during the coronavirus pandemic.

The finder tool on GOV.UK will ask business owners to fill out a simple online questionnaire, which can take minutes to complete, and they will then be directed to a list of all the financial support they may be eligible for.

The Government has provided advice and guidance for businesses and employers and a range of support measures to help the business community, including

  • Paying your employees
  • Paying sick pay
  • Paying sick pay
  • Paying tax
  • Business rates relief
  • Business support grant funds
  • Support for the self-employed
  • Targeted support for all size of business

Use the business support finder tool to determine what financial support is available to your business during the coronavirus pandemic

SEMLEP Growth Hub Business Webinars

SEMLEP’s Growth Hub is a government-funded local business support service, providing information, advice and support to business directors.

The Growth Hub has established a series of webinars with more in depth advice on different aspects of running a business during the crisis. They are free to join and you can register at https://www.semlepgrowthhub.com/events/

Upcoming Webinars:

  • Employee wellbeing and engagement during a pandemic – Thursday 30th April 11am-12pm
  • Adapting your supply chains during a pandemic: imports and exports – Thursday 7th May 11am-12pm

To contact the team, please email growthhub@semlep.com or call 0300 01234 35. For more information on the support available go to www.semlepgrowthhub.com/coronavirus/

Free support from Cranfield University’s Business Growth Programme

Cranfield University’s Business Growth Programme (BGP) is offering free virtual workshops and drop-in clinics with business counsellors to help SMEs triage and stabilise their organisations. The programme has been reshaped and launched online as the BGP Response Programme to support SMEs, offering structure and guidance during this critical time.

Underpinned by academic expertise and tried-and-tested business development resources, the BGP Response Programme has three stages. SMEs are able to take any elements of the course:

Triage – immediate support and advice to help SMEs survive (free)

Stabilise – regaining control of the business direction (free and paid for)

Bounce Back – embracing the new normal and learning to adapt the business strategy. How to bounce back and develop the business in the new environment (paid for).

All phases are supported by free, timely webinars about relevant topics, and discussions with experts and fellow SMEs.

For more information go to http://www.bgpresponseprogramme.co.uk/

Can your business help with essential supplies?

Central Bedfordshire Council is part of the Bedfordshire Local Resilience Forum (BLRF) to deliver the requirements of the Government’s COBRA Committee, take action and develop plans in this context.

In response to this we have mobilised a team to build a strong supply chain for sourcing and distributing emergency supplies of PPE to frontline staff.

The team is filling the gap when services have had difficulty obtaining both PPE and essential hygiene supplies and then arranging delivery to not just  the council’s own services but to other care home providers and funeral directors.

The team is still looking for new suppliers of essential kit such as goggles, masks, full protective suits, body bags, and large and medium sized gloves.

If you think your business can help please get in touch at business@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

Protecting businesses from COVID-19 scams

Malicious email attachments, false government grant phone calls and CEO impersonation scams are among a raft of scams undermining businesses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The increasing risk has led National Trading Standards to launch Businesses Against Scams – a free online training tool to protect businesses, employees and customers from costly scams.

At a time when businesses are already facing challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, the proliferation of related scams are adding further strain on businesses. This includes scams directly targeting businesses – such as tax refund frauds – which can lead to significant financial losses for businesses.

The initiative provides free tools for businesses to help upskill and train their workforce, through free online training modules that will help staff identify and prevent potential scams. Businesses can take the training and sign up at https://www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/BAS

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