The Chancellor has announced a raft of further support measures for business in his Budget of 3 March 2021, including:

• Furlough scheme to be extended until September
• SEISS to be extended for a 4th time with a grant of 80% of average trading profits up to a max. of £7500
• £20 a week Universal Credit extended for six months
• Restart Grants – a one off cash grant of up to £18,000 for hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym businesses.
• £300 million to support theatres, museums and other cultural organisations in England through the Culture Recovery Fund
• Business rates relief for hospitality, leisure and retail businesses
• Extension to the VAT cut to 5% for hospitality, accommodation and attractions across the UK until the end of September

The Government has published the four stage roadmap to ease lockdown in England, starting on 8 March.  Read the full document here>>>

New one-off payments available for local businesses forced to close due to the national lockdown >>>

Reading Borough Council has now received detailed guidance from Government on the Closed Business Lockdown Payment – a one-off grant payment for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses. The grant is to help businesses manage the impacts of the national lockdown through to Spring 2021. More information on the grant and how to apply can be found here.

New Council business grants webpage>>>

Reading Borough Council has created a single webpage detailing all of the different business grants currently available. 

Chancellor announcement - one off grants for leisure, hospitality and retail business

The Chancellor has announced grants of between £4000 - £9000 per property (depending on ratable value) for these sectors forced to close until mid February. This is on top of previous grants. 

UK national lockdown 3 restrictions (Stay at Home)

Includes which business can remain open.

Grants for Reading businesses 

Grants for Reading businesses impacted by the latest Tier 4 restrictions are now open for applications. The funding is available to support rate-paying businesses required to close and severely impacted by the restrictions. For more information and to apply, visit Reading Borough Council's website >>>

Reading in Tier 4

The Government has announced that Reading, along with all of Berkshire and much of the South East will be in Tier 4 from 00:001 on Sunday 20 December. Find out what this means>>>

Check what financial support your business is entitled to on the Government website>>>

Local Restrictions Support Grant (closed businesses)

For businesses that are required to close under Tier 3, including hospitality venues, accommodation, leisure and sports facilities....Apply to Reading Borough Council.

Furlough scheme extended until April

The Chancellor has announced a further month extension to the scheme.

Reading and surrounding areas in Tier 2 from 2 December

Read summary of rules for Tier 2

Tier 2 rules summary poster>>>

Takeaway services permission extended

Restaurants, pubs and cafes will get automatic freedoms to provide takeaway services until March 2022

Chancellor announcement - 5 November

• The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will run until the end of March with employees receiving 80% of their current salary for hours not worked.
• The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will be increased, with the third grant covering November to January calculated at 80% of average trading profits, up to a maximum of £7,500.
• Cash grants of up to £3000 per month for businesses forced to close.