Business support

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Our unique perspective gives us unparalleled insight into British business communities – every sector, every size, everywhere. They trust us to be their advocates, and we’re passionate about helping them trade and grow. Working together with Chambers, we drive change from the ground up – and our bottom line is helping companies, places and people achieve their potential.

For 160 years our business has been helping UK businesses grow and trade successfully across the world.

The BCC Global Business Network is comprised of member British Chambers of Commerce and business groups that are located across all continents of the world and directly linked to Chambers of Commerce in every region of the UK.

Your Accredited Chamber of Commerce Network

The Chamber of Commerce Network exists to support and connect companies, bringing together firms to build new relationships, share best practice and foster new opportunities. Through practical on the ground support they also help firms trade locally, nationally and globally, including specific support for international trade. Chambers of Commerce are modern, dynamic, and vibrant champions of business communities all across the UK. Together they are the voice of Britain’s civic businesses, helping companies, places, and people to achieve their full potential.

Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce is the BCC Accredited Chamber for Hertfordshire, providing our members with the benefit of association with 52 other UK chambers and a network of 41 chambers globally.

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Powered by Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, the Growth Hub Consortium is delivered by a consortium of partners to provide a central point of access for businesses in the county to access support and guidance to enable them to grow, scale and innovate, strengthening the Hertfordshire economy.

It is part of a network of 38 Local Enterprise Partnership-led Growth Hubs across England integrating national and local business support. Publicly funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with some accessing European Regional Development Funds, Growth Hubs provide locally tailored support and advice to direct businesses to the most appropriate organisations to assist with their specific business needs.

The Hertfordshire Growth Hub consortium is led by business support specialists Exemplas, with the University of Hertfordshire and Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce. Visit hertsgrowthhub.com

The Growth Hub is funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)

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In each step on our road to recovery, through every government announcement and new policy, the British Chambers of Commerce is there to ensure the business voice is at the heart of the government’s recovery plans.

Our approach is informed by our Coronavirus Business Impacts Tracker and the experience and insights of our Chambers of Commerce and Global Business Networks. Together, we understand the impact of Coronavirus on businesses in every region of the UK and over 60 markets worldwide.

Restart: a phased reopening of the economy
Public health must be at the heart of plans to reopen services and businesses. 10% of businesses won’t be able to open at all under the government’s current working safely guidance. A phased approach to re-opening must account for the links between firms and the services they need to operate such as transport, schools, childcare and many more.

37% of businesses said they were able to implement the government's working safely guidance and restart fully.

To help firms protect their people and customers through these changes, they need a clear understanding of their responsibilities and liabilities, and plans for the reopening of the services such as schools and public transport that enable their businesses to operate.

• Safely re-open public spaces and restore services (including schools and public transport)
• Safely re-open workplaces and commercial spaces
• Minimise job losses and business failures
• Rebuild supply chains and customer bases
• Enable an effective reopening of the UK economy

Rebuild: building resilience for firms and households
Steps to help businesses and the wider economy to recover from the impact of coronavirus, including building resilience and mitigating the impact of sectoral and regional restrictions.

Renew: returning to prosperity and growth
Bold and substantial action to inject momentum and confidence back into the UK economy with measures aimed at delivering an economic recovery across the whole of the UK.

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Business Planning
• Companies House: guidance if Coronavirus has affected your company and you need more time to file your accounts.
• HMRC: tax helpline to help businesses concerned about paying their tax due to Coronavirus.
• EU drivers hours: Temporary relaxation of the enforcement of EU drivers’ hours rules: drivers supplying supermarkets. Barclays has an existing £14 billion lending fund which launched in 2019 as part of a three-year commitment to help SMEs build resilience during uncertain times.
• This Procurement Policy Note (PPN) from the Cabinet Office sets out information and guidance for public bodies on payment of their suppliers to ensure service continuity during and after the Coronavirus outbreak.

Working Remotely
• Online events: Top tips for presenting online events.
• HSE: Protect home workers
• ACAS: Advice for employers and employees
• Gov.UK: Guidance for employers and businesses

Insurance
• Aon: Business Continuity Management for Infectious Disease Threat and Cyber Risk Implications of the Coronavirus Outbreak.
• Association of British Insurers (ABI): Coronavirus Q & A on insurance related queries and Coronavirus Information Hub.
• Hospitality Insurance Group Action (HIGA): has launched on behalf of hospitality sector businesses against insurers who continue to refuse to pay losses flowing from the government's lockdown and Coronavirus. Hospitality sector policy holders can register their details for a free of charge review of their business interruption policies.

Pensions
• The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has published the following guidance and support:
• Trustee Guidance to support trustees and employers regarding Defined Benefit (DB) schemes and trustees of Defined Contribution (DC) schemes.
• A joint statement with the Financial Conduct Authority and Money and Pensions Service urging savers to take their time and visit the Pensions Advisory Service website for free plain English pensions guidance before making any decisions about their retirement savings. TPR has also published a blog detailing the changes they have been making in response to the current situation.
• Guidance on the administration risks and what trustees and administrators can do to reduce these risks in schemes during the pandemic.
• Guidance on salary sacrifice – Please note that this guidance will be more applicable to large employers and their advisers. Where this guidance applies to to smaller employers, it may be advisable for them to contact their payroll adviser or pension provider for help.

Employee wellbeing
• Your emotional and mental wellbeing is important. It is normal to feel stressed or lonely when self-isolating, but there are some things you can do to feel better. Guidance on social distancing in the workplace (England) and rules on social distancing in the workplace (Wales)
• Review the information from Mind on Coronavirus and your wellbeing with advice and support while self-isolating or working from home.
• New advice to support mental health during coronavirus outbreak. See 10 tips to help if you are worried about Coronavirus. </br• >Look after your mental wellbeing whilst staying at home.
• Get fit with a strength and flex workout plan. Support for renters - Complete ban on evictions and additional protection for renters.
• How to apply for a three month mortgage holiday.

Bereavement

• Cruise Bereavement Care: Dealing with bereavement and grief, Dealing with traumatic bereavement, Funerals and memorials and Grieving and isolation. If you have been bereaved by the virus you can contact their helpline on 0808 808 1677.
• Samaritans: Support during Coronavirus, Practical ways you can cope if you are feeling low or struggling to cope and Contact a Samaritan any time.
• ACAS: Time off for bereavement and Example of a bereavement policy
• NHS: List of helplines, Grief after bereavement or loss, Feeling Lonely and try their mood self-assessment.
• HMRC: Bereavement services from your local council and What to do when someone dies: step by step.

Policing and fraud
The College of Policing and National Police Chiefs Council briefing in relation to Coronavirus.
• Computer Software Service Fraud: as more people work from home, fraudsters may capitalise on slow networks and IT problems, to commit computer software service fraud. Be wary of cold calls or unsolicited emails offering you help with your device or to fix a problem. Attached is a helpful graphic with protection advice.
• Mandate Fraud: with more people working at home, it may be easier for fraudsters to impersonate senior decision makers, with seemingly valid reasons why they cannot be contacted, and request a change in a direct debit, standing order or bank transfer mandate, by purporting to be an organisation you make regular payments to. The change they ask you to make will divert funds to their own bank account.
• In response to the increased threat from mandate fraud during the Coronavirus outbreak, the UK government Counter Fraud Function has issued a mandate fraud guidance document. Bank Mandate Fraud Guidance from the Scottish Police.

Hertfordshire businesses get free expert help to prevent cyber crime
A successful scheme to give Hertfordshire businesses free expert help to prevent cyber crime has been extended. With millions of pounds being lost every year in the county to online crime and fraud, company owners can get advice from an IT professional.

Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd has relaunched Cyber Basics Reviews after none of the first one hundred companies surveyed since taking part subsequently fell victim to a cyber crime attack. Run jointly with Hertfordshire County Council Trading Standards, any of Hertfordshire’s small or medium-sized business can apply for an appointment with an accredited computer security provider.

Michael Nadasdy, Programme Manager for Fraud and Cybercrime at Hertfordshire County Council said: “The Cyber Basics Review scheme is the perfect introduction to keeping your business secure against cybercriminals. “If you are a Hertfordshire SME this is a fantastic opportunity to benefit from a free service that has been proven to protect businesses against cybercrime by implementing the simple to follow action plan that every participant receives. “It is free at the point of contact and there is no obligation to take on good or services. It is simply a free crime prevention service being offered to Hertfordshire businesses. “If you are looking at cyber security and it looks too hard or too confusing then let us take the strain. Assessments take an hour to carry out and can be done remotely. “People think ‘They are not interested in my little business’ but these criminals are opportunistic. It is like a car thief going along trying handles on every car to find one that is unlocked. That is how phishing emails are designed to work.”

To secure your free CBR simply visit the Hertfordshire Growth Hub website and access their marketplace feature where you can find a number of accredited providers – just look for the ‘We Are Cyber Basics Aware’ logo. Alternatively email CyberProtect@hertfordshire.gov.uk with your contact details and request a review. For straightforward, practical advice on protecting your business listen to a short ‘Introduction to Cybercrime’ podcasts. Go to https://www.podfollow.com/hertscybercrime or search for ‘Introduction to Cybercrime’ on Spotify, Apple or your chosen podcast provider.

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The Chamber is therefore delighted to announce the launch of the Chamber Finance Finder, powered by our partners at Swoop alongside the British Chambers of Commerce. Chamber members can access the tool via the Chamber portal.

By creating a free account you can discover all available finance opportunities, check your eligibility for CBILS and other COVID-19 funding solutions and track your progress online. In addition, we have negotiated a number of exclusive benefits for Chamber members which include:

• 7 days a week Chamber Finance Finder hotline
• Free financial health check
• Templates and tools to aid applications
• Finance updates and alerts on things such as grants
• Finance newsroom

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There may be some variations to the below measures announced among devolved nations. Further information on support for businesses in the devolved nations can be found:

• Support for business in Wales
• Support for business in Northern Ireland
• Support for business in Scotland

1. Financial aid

Coronavirus (COVID‑19) support is available to employers and the self-employed, including sole traders and limited company directors. You may be eligible for loans, tax relief and cash grants, whether your business is open or closed. https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder

Check if you're eligible for the coronavirus Additional Restrictions Grant

The Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) supports businesses that are not covered by other grant schemes or where additional funding is needed. Local councils have the freedom to determine the eligibility criteria for these grants. However, we expect the funding to help businesses that are severely impacted by the restrictions and the rise of the Omicron variant.

Local councils are encouraged to support:

• In allocating the first ARG top-up payment: businesses from all sectors that may have been severely impacted by restrictions but were not eligible for the LRSG and CBLP Grant schemes
• In allocating the second 2 ARG top-up payments: businesses from all sectors that may have been severely impacted by restrictions but were not eligible for the Restart Grant scheme, and those sectors that remained closed or were severely impacted by extended restrictions, even if those businesses had already been in receipt of Restart Grants
• In allocating the third ARG top-up payment: businesses severely impacted by the rise of the Omicron variant
  
  

2. Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme ended on 30 September 2021.

• Make a late Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme claim: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/make-a-late-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme-claim

• Check a previous Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme claim: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-a-previous-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme-claim
  
  

3. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
Check if you can claim back Statutory Sick Pay paid to employees due to coronavirus (COVID-19) If you're an employer, find out if you can use the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme to claim back employees' coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-back-statutory-sick-pay-paid-to-employees-due-to-coronavirus-covid-19

4. Business Rates

• Check if your retail, hospitality or leisure business is eligible for business rates relief due to coronavirus (COVID-19): https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-your-retail-hospitality-or-leisure-business-is-eligible-for-business-rates-relief-due-to-coronavirus-covid-19

• Check if your nursery is eligible for business rates relief due to coronavirus (COVID-19): https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-your-nursery-is-eligible-for-business-rates-relief-due-to-coronavirus-covid-19
  
  

5. Recovery Loan Scheme
The Recovery Loan Scheme supports access to finance for UK businesses as they grow and recover from the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Recovery Loan Scheme is currently open to businesses of any size to support them to access loans and other kinds of finance so they can recover after the pandemic and transition period.

Up to £10 million is available per business. The actual amount offered and the terms are at the discretion of participating lenders.

The government guarantees 80% of the finance to the lender. As the borrower, you are always 100% liable for the debt.

Loans are available through a network of accredited lenders, listed on the British Business Bank’s website.

Eligibility

You can apply for a loan if your business:

• is trading in the UK

You need to show that your business:

• would be viable were it not for the pandemic
• has been adversely impacted by the pandemic
• is not in collective insolvency proceedings (unless your business is in scope of the Northern Ireland Protocol in which case different eligibility rules may apply)

Business that received support under the earlier COVID-19 guaranteed loan schemes are still eligible to access finance under this scheme if they meet all other eligibility criteria.

What you can get

• term loans or overdrafts of between £25,001 and £10 million per business
• invoice or asset finance of between £1,000 and £10 million per business

No personal guarantees will be taken on facilities up to £250,000, and a borrower’s principal private residence cannot be taken as security.

How long the loan is for

The maximum length of the facility depends on the type of finance you apply for and will be:

• up to 3 years for overdrafts and invoice finance facilities
• up to 6 years for loans and asset finance facilities

Changes from 1 January 2022

At Autumn Budget 2021, the Chancellor announced that the Recovery Loan Scheme would be extended until 30 June 2022.

From 1 January 2022, the following changes will come into force:

• The scheme will only be open to small and medium sized enterprises
• The maximum amount of finance available will be £2 million per business
• The guarantee coverage that the government will provide to lenders will be reduced to 70%

These changes will apply to all offers made from 1 January 2022. Find out more and apply: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/recovery-loan-scheme

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You can find out more about all of these in Business Benefits.

Would a complimentary one2one help you?
Travel bans, lockdown and social distancing have had a dramatic effect on UK businesses, sadly mostly in a negative way. 70% of companies report that they have furloughed staff and according to the news media we are rushing headlong into an economic crisis that will be worse than the financial crash of 2008. It’s easy to be depressed!

However, it will come to an end and the business community will find a way to navigate through these stormy waters. NOW is actually the time to plan ahead and formulate the vision of what your business will look like in the future.

There are many things to consider:

• How can you manage returning furloughed workers?
• Are you ready to take them all back?
• Will you need to restructure and reorganise?
• Do you have the right policies and procedures in place to enable you to do this?
• Is your business compliant with HR and health & safety?

We are offering members a complimentary One2One Review meeting (via video conference) to discuss the above and any other issues that concern you. We can help to ensure you are correctly set up to grow and ride the wave of recovery when it comes, whilst also being fully compliant with HR and health & safety regulations.

Simply email hello@questcover.com and we will get back to you to arrange a suitable time

Quest is the exclusive recommended supplier of the British Chambers of Commerce, helping most UK Chambers to support their members. We deliver The Chamber HR service, access to which is included your Chamber membership fee.