Update 17 March 2020
COVID-19 Business Support Helpline
A helpline providing businesses across Scotland with advice and guidance on COVIS-19 has been announced. The helpline, which is now live, will be open Monday to Friday, between 8.30am and 5.30pm. The business helpline number is 03003030660 – callers should select option one to speak to the COVID-19 team.
Based at Scottish Enterprise’s existing call centre in Clydebank, advisers across Scotland will answer questions from businesses related to COVID-19. The helpline will also help the Scottish Government identify the current challenges facing businesses.
Scottish Government
Up-to-date information on the situation in Scotland is being published by Scottish Government all the time.
£320 Million Package of Support for Businesses
New measures to limit the impact of COVID-19 on the business community in Scotland have been announced by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes. Steps will be put in place to support businesses during the 2020-21 financial year. New measures to limit the impact of COVID-19 on the business community in Scotland have been announced by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes.
The following steps will be put in place to support businesses during the 2020-21 financial year:
- a 75% rates relief for retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with a rateable value of less than £69,000 from 1 April 2020
- an £80 million fund to provide grants of at least £3,000 to small businesses in sectors facing the worst economic impact of COVID-19
- 1.6% rates relief for all properties across Scotland, effectively reversing the planned below inflation uplift in the poundage from 1 April 2020
- a fixed rates relief of up to £5,000 for all pubs with a rateable value of less than £100,000 from 1 April 2020
For more information, to find out if your business qualifies for this help and how to apply, call the helpline number 0300 303 0660
The Finance Secretary will also write to all local authorities urging them to respond positively to requests from rate payers for payment deferrals for a fixed period, so remember if you don’t ask you don’t get – ask for a deferral.
Find Business Support in Scotland
Visit the Find Business website for more information.
Business rates and funding. The Small Business Bonus Scheme provides relief to businesses with properties in Scotland of which the combined rateable value is £18,000 or less.. In addition, where the cumulative rateable value of business properties falls between £18,000 and £35,000, the scheme will offer 25% relief to individual properties with a rateable value £18,000 or under.
Information on how to prepare and manage your business for the impact of the coronavirus – including business rates and funding, HMRC, employee advice and business continuity.
It has useful links to organisations such as Scottish Enterprise with a checklist explaining the steps you should be taking to prepare for potential disruption and Business Gateway who has information on business insurance and business continuity planning.
Health Protection Scotland
Advice for returning travelers can be found here. Please go to NHS Inform for the most up-to-date information and advice. Guidance for travelers.
For the general public who are planning to travel abroad, guidance can be found on fitfortravel. Where a COVID-19 risk is identified then country pages will be updated.
Health Protection Scotland has information on guidance, data and surveillance, publications and incidents and outbreaks.
It has also added new guidance on coronavirus that includes workplace advice such as hotels and hospitality settings where a guest may need to self-isolate in a hotel or holiday accommodation.