8 June 2021

This update covers:

  • Self-Employment Income Support Scheme fifth grant 
  • Paying Quarantining Employees 
  • Together for our planet campaign 
  • Lockdown dates across the four nations.

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme fifth grant

Claims for the fourth SEISS closed on 1 June 2021. A fifth grant covering May 2021 to September 2021 will be open to claims from late July 2021. Guidance for claiming the grant will be available by the end of June 2021. 

The amount allocated in the fifth grant will depend on the following criteria: if your turnover has fallen by more than 30% you will continue to receive the full 80%. However, if it is less than 30% your grant will be reduced to 30%. 

The scheme will be expanded to allow those who became self-employed in the 2019-2020 financial year to claim provided they filed a tax return on or before 2 March 2021.  Find out more on the government website

 

Paying Quarantining Employees

Currently, if someone travels to the UK from abroad, they will have to quarantine or self-isolate for a period on their return if they have visited a country which is on the Government’s red or amber lists. The nature of the requirements depends on the country visited.

If employees are required to quarantine, then members could advise employees in advance (and in writing), that should this happen, they can choose either to take unpaid leave or to use any remaining annual leave they have available.  It would be best to remind them that it is a criminal offence not to comply with the quarantine requirements too. NHBF Members can ring the legal helpline for advice if there are any issues with particular employees.

The Government has advised that anyone quarantining will not be able to claim Statutory Sick Pay unless they can show that they have themselves been infected or been in direct contact with someone who was infected, but you should ring for the legal helpline for advice where this is the case.  

 

Together for our Planet campaign 

The Together For Our Planet Business Climate Leaders campaign is a new drive to encourage small and micro businesses to commit to cutting their greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, and to net zero by 2050 or sooner.

Businesses who commit by signing up to the SME Climate Commitment will be recognised by the United Nation's Race to Zero campaign, and will be joining governments, big businesses and cities around the world that share the same mission.

 

Lockdown dates across the four nations 

Read our four nations FAQs which include links to the latest government guidance that must be followed.

England: Hair and beauty businesses, including mobile, are now allowed to open. Saunas and steam rooms are allowed to open under step 3 of the roadmap which started on 17 May 2021. Find out more on the government website.  

Wales: Hair and beauty businesses, including mobile, are now allowed to open.

Scotland: Hair and beauty businesses, including mobile, are now allowed to open.

Northern Ireland: Hair and beauty businesses, including mobile, are now allowed to open.