Support for tourism and event businesses during COVID-19
23 October 2020
We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak and are working hard to provide you with the very latest information to support your business at this very challenging time. We are feeding in industry concerns to Government via the Tourism Industry Emergency Response Group and will be sharing practical advice as soon as it becomes available, publishing the latest announcements and industry information on our dedicated COVID-19 page. Below you will find the latest information and advice to support your businesses. All of our information is kept under continuous review and is updated often.
Please see our operating during COVID-19 page for the latest guidance on business closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Latest information
VisitBritain/ VisitEngland latest
Our dedicated COVID-19 page contains the latest updates for the industry.
Government latest
Keep up to date with the latest information on the Government’s response to COVID-19.
COVID-19 consumer sentiment tracker
VisitBritain's weekly tracking survey on the consumer intent to take short breaks and holidays within the U.K. and abroad.
Government support
A full range of business support measures have been made available to UK businesses and employees, including:
New 22 October:
The Chancellor announced that the Government will significantly increase the generosity and reach of its winter support schemes, including:
- open businesses which are experiencing considerable difficulty will be given extra help to keep staff on as government significantly increases contribution to wage costs under the Job Support Scheme, and business contributions drop to 5%
- additional funding to support cash grants of up to £2,100 per month primarily for businesses in the hospitality, accommodation and leisure sector who may be adversely impacted by the restrictions in high-alert level areas, delivered by Local Authorities
- grants for the self-employed doubled to 40% of previous earnings
Read the Chancellor's statement from 22 October.
New 9 October:
- The Job Support Scheme will be expanded to support businesses across the UK required to close their premises due to coronavirus restrictions. Read the press release on the expansion of the Job Support Scheme
- £445 heritage organisations in England have received a share of £103 million from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. The funding is part of the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund which was announced in July. Read the press release on the Culture Recovery Fund.
New 2 October: businesses in Bolton to receive grants of up to £1,500
New 24 September - Winter Economy Plan:
The following measures were announced by the Chancellor on 24 September:
- Job Support Scheme, from 1 November – 31 April, in which the Government will contribute towards the wages of employees who are working fewer than normal hours due to decreased demand
- Extension of the the Self Employment Income Support Scheme Grant (SEISS)
- Extension of the temporary 15% VAT cut for the tourism and hospitality sectors to 31 March
- New Payment Scheme for VAT bills, with businesses to be given the option to pay back in small instalments during the 2021-22 financial year rather than paying the full lump sum at the end of March
- 12 month extension of HMRC’s “Time to Pay” self-service facility
- New Pay as You Grow flexible repayment system for Bounce Back Loans, which have been extended from six years to ten. Interest-only periods of up to six months and payment holidays will also be available to businesses.
- Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme lenders will be given the ability to extend the length of loans from a maximum of six years to ten years if it will help businesses to repay the loan
- Extension of the application period for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme, the Bounce Back Loan Scheme and the Future Fund
Read more details in the Chancellor's 24 September statement.
- 18 September: small businesses in England can now find somebody to apply to the Kickstart Scheme grant on their behalf. The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds.
- 10 September: businesses in England that are required to close due to local lockdowns or targeted restrictions will be able to receive grants worth up to £1,500 every three weeks under the Local Restrictions Support Grant.
- 22 August: guidance has been released on all the funding opportunities available through the Culture Recovery Fund
- 11 August: details have been announced of a £40 million Green Recovery Challenge Fund. The fund will help charities and environmental organisations to deliver "shovel-ready" projects across England to restore nature and tackle climate change. Funding will be distributed by The National Lottery Heritage Fund on behalf of DEFRA
- 30 July: a £20 million business grant fund for SME businesses has been announced. Businesses will be eligible to receive grants of £1,000 - £5,000 to help them access technology, equipment or professional advice as they plan for recovery.
- 14 July: a ministerial statement has been issued to support the culture and tourism sectors by both preventing the loss of theatres, concert halls and live music performance venues, and encouraging local planning authorities to exercise their discretion in relation to planning conditions for caravan and holiday parks.
- 8 July: 'Plan for Jobs' support measures, including a VAT reduction from 20% to 5% on most tourism and hospitality-related activities and an 'Eat Out to Help Out' discount scheme which will provide a 50% reduction for sit-down meals in cafes, restaurants and pubs across the UK from Monday to Wednesday every week throughout August 2020
- 5 July: £1.57 billion investment to protect Britain’s world-class cultural, arts and heritage institutions
- 3 July: £10 million Kick-starting Tourism Package, to be delivered via local Growth Hubs.
- Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
- Business Rates Holiday for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure
- Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund
- Small Business Grant Funding
- Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund, aimed at small businesses with ongoing fixed property-related costs such as bed and breakfasts that pay council tax rather than business rates, allocated at the discretion of local authorities. Businesses who are eligible for the Self-Employed Income support scheme (SEISS) are eligible to apply for this fund as well.
- Bounce Back Loans (micro loan scheme)
- Statutory Sick Pay Rebate
- HMRC helpline for tax payment issues due to COVID-19 (‘Time to Pay’) – 0800 024 1222. You can also register to receive HMRC email alerts for upcoming webinars.
- COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility
- VAT Deferral (now closed)
- Income Tax Deferral for the Self-Employed
- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and step-by-step guide for employers. You can check the availability of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme website. It has also been announced that from 1 July employees in the scheme can return to work part time
- Confirmation that furloughed employees will receive full parental leave entitlement
- Self-employment Income Support Scheme
- £750 million package for frontline charities
- An additional 3 months to file accounts
- Restructuring and insolvency advice
- Measures to protect businesses from aggressive rent collection (now closed)
- Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill, which amends insolvency and company law to support businesses through this period of instability
- A temporary service by Companies House that allows businesses to upload documents that previously had to be sent in
- The extenson of certain planning permissions
Other rules have also been relaxed, including regarding destroying spoilt beer and pub/restaurant takeaway operations.
Please note all grants made under the above schemes are subject to tax should the business make a profit during the current financial year.
(c) VisitBritain/Sam Barker
Find COVID-19 financial support
The Government's support finder tool can help you determine what financial support is available to you during COVID-19.
Support webinars from Government
Webinars are available on accessing financial support, understanding the support schemes available and managing your business.
Government support – Gov.uk
Detailed information of financial support in response to COVID-19 and how to claim.
COVID-19 business support blog
The Government's business support blog contains information, case studies and posts from people across Government and business.
Guidance on refunds
The Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) have issued guidance on refunds during COVID-19.
HMRC’s Digital Assistant
HMRC’s Digital Assistant can answer questions on COVID-19 support schemes for businesses and the self-employed.
Government support for paying wages
In October the Government announced a revised Job Support Scheme and an extension to the Self Employment Income Support Scheme Grant.
Businesses that are operating, but facing decreased demand, can get support for wages through the Job Support Scheme Open.
Businesses that are legally required to close their premises as a direct result of COVID-19 restrictions set by UK Governments can get support through the Job Support Scheme Closed.
The Job Support Scheme will be open from 1 November 2020 and run until 30 April 2021. Employers will be able to claim in arrears from 8 December 2020, with payments made after the claim has been approved.
More guidance for employers
Government guidance for employers
Guidance on workplace arrangements and managing staff, including what to do if your employees need to self-isolate and limiting the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.
Job Retention Bonus
Businesses will receive a one-off payment of £1,000 for every previously furloughed employee, if they are still employed at the end of January 2021.
Can you claim for the Job Retention Bonus?
Guidance to help employers determine eligibility for the Job Retention Bonus and how to calculate claims.
Changes to right to work checks
Right to work checks have been temporarily adjusted to make it easier for employers to carry them out.
PAYE notification for furloughed workers
How and when to report payments made to employees under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
Advice from ACAS
Guidance on handling employees, including sick pay, managing staff shortfalls, if somebody becomes unwell at work and what to do if you need to close.
Relaxation of annual leave carry over rules
Workers who have not taken all of their statutory annual leave entitlement due to COVID-19 can carry it over into the next 2 leave years.
Taxable equipment for employees
HMRC guidance on what equipment, services and suppliers are taxable for employees working from home.
Support for apprenticeships
The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) is taking steps to ensure apprenticeships can continue and support providers.
Support webinars
Watch recorded videos and register for free webinars from Government and HMRC designed for employers.
Guidance on workplace pensions
The Pensions Regulator has issued advice on workplace pensions for employers and trustees during COVID-19.
Guidance on mental health and wellbeing
Advice on how you and your staff can look after mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19.
Worker eligibility for Child Support
Government has extended eligibility for free or tax-free childcare for parents if they fall below the minimum income requirement due to COVID-19.
Expenses and benefits during COVID-19
HMRC guidance on the treatment of taxable expenses and benefits when they are paid to employees because of COVID-19.
Guidance on holiday pay and entitlement
Government advice on how holiday entitlement and pay operate during COVID-19, where it differs from the standard holiday entitlement and pay guidance.
How to monitor staff wellbeing
Guidance from Be the Business on ensuring the well-being of staff who are working remotely.
Employer help from Jobcentre Plus
A range of advice to overcome staff challenges during COVID-19, from redundancies to supporting your staff and recruitment.
Cultural and heritage sector support
Government funding for culture and heritage
Government support for cultural and heritage organisations, including £1.15 billion via grants and loans.
Funding from Arts Council England
Arts Council England have announced emergency measures and funding for people and organisations in the arts and cultural sector.
Association for Cultural Enterprises
The Association for Cultural Enterprises has made some resources available to non-members during COVID-19, including webinars.
Develop your skills
Free digital support
Digital Boost is an online platform providing SMEs with one-to-one digital support, including online marketing.
The Skills Toolkit
Free courses are available via an online learning platform to help people build their skills.
Free e-learning for furloughed staff
Furloughed hospitality employees can access free training via the UKH Pathway online platform.
COVID-19 customer service training
This e-learning course from WorldHost can help staff to increase confidence and support hygiene measures, at a cot of £5 + VAT pp..
Google Open for Business
A collection of free tools from Google to improve your online presence, from Google Maps and Search to tips on finding more customers locally.
Further support
FAQs
Answers to common questions from Be the Business, including financing, employees, tax and going back to work.
Guidance from FSB
The Federation of Small Businesses provides advice on reducing the impact of COVID-19, including free webinars and FAQs.
Guidance from Be the Business
Information on managing COVID-19 specifically for business owners and leaders, including how other businesses are responding and how-to guides.
Tips on securing finance
Guidance on how to prepare a loan or grant application from the South West Business Council.
Insights from Google
Google’s dedicated resource platform has tools, insights and advice to help businesses respond to COVID-19.
Non-Government support for businesses
Public bodies, organisations and charities have produced additional resources that may be useful to employers and employees.
Preventing fraud and cyber crime
Read Government guidance on how to protect yourself and your business from fraud and cyber crime.
Restructuring advice
Guidance from the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure on managing security risks during a restructure, including personal data.
Recovery Advice for Business scheme
Small businesses can access free, one-to-one advice to get them through the pandemic and prepare for long-term recovery.
Support from your bank
Your bank may be able to offer support measures if your finances have been impacted.
Have a discussion with your bank as early as possible to produce a mutually beneficial action plan.
The following banks also have dedicated helplines for business customers affected by COVID-19:
- Barclays: 0800 1971 086
- Santander: 0800 0156 382
Summary of actions to take
Immediate
- Contact your insurance company to check if you can make a claim for lost business and/or closure
- Contact your bank to see what support measures they can offer
- Contact your suppliers and work together to mitigate fall in demand
- Contact customers who have already booked with you directly
- Keep staff informed of the latest and plan contingency measures where possible
- Update your website and share messages through social media
- Liaise with your Destination Management Organisation (DMO) / tourism association (please be aware the ability to respond at this time may vary between DMOs, depending on resource)
Next steps
- Check official Government advice on a regular basis
- Continue communicating with customers
- Consider having a more flexible booking policy for future customers looking to book trips later in the year.
