Updates are being issued regularly, so please do check back.
This page was last updated on 3 December 2020
If you are a resident in the South Hams and are worried about finance, please see our Residents Information Page.
Following the end of the November lockdown period, Devon is now in Tier Two of Coronavirus Local Restrictions.
Use this link to read the full guidance for businesses and venues on the GOV.UK website.
The Government has announced new support measures for businesses, including new grants.
The Local Restriction Support Grants are now open for applications. Please click the button below for more information.
Local Restriction Support Grants
Other assistance is available from the Government for businesses in England. Below are some brief descriptions of the available schemes, and links to more information. These schemes are not administered by South Hams District Council.
If you have put your employees on furlough because of coronavirus (COVID-19) you can claim for 80% of their wages plus any employer National Insurance and pension contributions
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - Claim Now
This scheme has been extended until December 2020.
If you are a resident in the South Hams and are worried about finance, please see our Residents Information Page.
The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) provides financial support to smaller businesses affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
This scheme helps large businesses affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) through the purchase of their short-term debt.
COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility
Because of coronavirus you may be able to delay (defer) some tax payments without paying a penalty. You can
Call the HMRC Helpline for advice on 0800 0159 559
Time to Pay (HMRC) VAT Deferral
The Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate will repay employers the current rate of SSP that they pay to current or former employees for periods of sickness starting on or after 13 March 2020
Nurseries in England do not have to pay business rates for the 2020-21 tax year. Properties that will benefit from the relief will be those occupied by providers on Ofsted's Early Year Register and are wholly or mainly used for the provision of Early Years Foundation Stage.
Eligible businesses will receive a new bill showing that there is nothing to pay for 2020/21 as soon as possible.
Find Out About Business Rates for Nurseries
If you are self-employed, Income Tax payments due in July 2020 under the Self-Assessment system will be deferred to 31 January 2021. If you are self-employed, you are eligible.
This is an automatic offer with no applications required. No penalties or interest for late payment will be charged in the deferral period.
Income Tax Deferral for the Self Employed
This scheme has now been extended.
The extension will last for six months, from November 2020 to April 2021. Grants will be paid in two lump sum instalments each covering a three-month period.
The first grant will cover a three-month period from 1 November 2020 until 31 January 2021. The Government will provide a taxable grant covering 80% of average monthly trading profits.
Self Employed Income Support Scheme
Business owners and their employees who cannot work or find their income streams significantly reduced due to coronavirus maybe eligible to claim Council Tax Reduction or apply for support from our Exceptional Hardship Fund.
You can claim Universal Credit online for help with your income replacement and housing costs.
Business support and advice is available over the phone, 03456 047 047 or by email info@heartofswgrowthhub.co.uk or accessing The Heart of the South West Growth Hub website
The Heart of the South West Growth Hub
You can contact the Government's Business Support Helpline for free advice.
0300 456 3565 Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
All businesses and self-employed people in financial distress and with outstanding tax liabilities, may be eligible to receive support with their tax affairs through HMRC's Time to Pay service. These arrangements are agreed on a case-by-case basis and are tailored to individual circumstances and liabilities. These businesses can contact HMRC's new dedicated coronavirus (COVID-19) helpline for advice and support.
Call HMRC's dedicated helpline on 0800 0159 559
HMRC Coronavirus (COVID-19) Helpline
The help below announced by the Government is administered by South Hams District Council.
Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, irrespective of Rateable Value, will receive 100% retail relief for 2020/21. So every shop, pub, theatre, music venue, restaurant and any other business in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will pay no business rates for a year.
This has been extended to cover all premises, regardless of their Rateable Value.
Properties that will benefit from the relief will be those that are wholly or mainly being used as shops, restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments, cinemas and live music venues, for assembly and leisure, or as hotels, guest and boarding premises and self-catering accommodation
Eligible businesses will receive a new bill showing that there is nothing to pay for 2020/21.
If your business is in the retail, hospitality or leisure sector, you will receive a cash grant of up to £25,000 per property (subject to the information below).
Businesses in these sectors with a rateable value of under £15,000 will receive a grant of £10,000.
Businesses in these sectors with a rateable value of between £15,001 and £51,000 will receive a grant of £25,000.
Properties that will benefit from the relief will be those that are wholly or mainly being used as shops, restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments, cinemas and live music venues, for assembly and leisure, or as hotels, guest and boarding premises and self-catering accommodation.
Applications for this scheme are now closed.
The Government is providing additional funding for Local Authorities to support small businesses that already pay little or no business rates because of
This will provide a one-off grant of £10,000 to eligible businesses to help meet their ongoing business costs.
Please note that properties which are occupied for personal use, e.g. private stables, beach huts, moorings etc. will not qualify for these grants
Applications for this scheme are now closed.
Guidance for Businesses - 16 March 2020
Guidance for Businesses - 17 March 2020
Guidance for Businesses - 18 March 2020
Message from Council Leaders - 24 March 2020
Guidance for Businesses - 24 March 2020
Guidance for Businesses - 31 March 2020
