Coronavirus advice

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Support

The Government is supporting businesses and their employees through a package of measures during this period of unprecedented disruption.

This website will help the businesses of Swindon and Wiltshire find the right support, advice and information to help with the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Official Announcements from the Government

Read all the latest country-wide announcements and advice from the United Kingdom Government.

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Financial Support for Businesses

Find the business support measures made available to UK businesses and employees.

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Actions your business should be taking

Advice on what you should be doing to protect your business, its employees and customers.

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COVID-19 News

Zurich changes graduate hiring policy

Published: 15/09/22

England returns to Plan A as regulations on face coverings and COVID Passes change today

Published: 27/01/22

Applications open for hospitality and leisure business grants

Published: 24/01/22

England to return to Plan A following the success of the booster programme

Published: 21/01/22

New grants for hospitality companies

Published: 14/01/22

COVID-19 Festive Communications Toolkit

Published: 5/01/22

Rows of test tubes with pipette dropping liquid in.

Wasdell wins new Covid-19 work

Published: 22/12/21

£1 billion in support for businesses most impacted by Omicron across the UK

Published: 21/12/21

SSP self-certification period temporarily extended to 28 days

Published: 21/12/21

Push to protect and vaccinate rough sleepers with £28 million government funding boost

Published: 20/12/21

Don’t forget to declare COVID-19 grants on your tax return

Published: 16/12/21

Facemask next to scrabble pieces reading 'Keep Safe'.

Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread

Published: 9/12/21

Face coverings: when to wear one, exemptions, and how to make one

Published: 9/12/21

Prime Minister confirms move to Plan B in England

Published: 9/12/21

UK marks one year since approving COVID-19 vaccine with Boost Day

Published: 2/12/21

All adults to be offered COVID-19 boosters by end of January

Published: 1/12/21

Sign on shop door reading: 'Face Masks Required prior to entry'

COVID-19 Recovery Loans for UK SMEs Extended to Next Summer

Published: 17/11/21

How to do a coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow test at home

Published: 28/10/21

Finding and choosing a private coronavirus (COVID-19) test provider

Published: 27/10/21

Pfizer vaccine to be made in Swindon

Published: 12/10/21

Levelling Up becomes focus as MHGLC changes name.

Published: 20/09/21

Test tubes being handled by somebody wearing blue surgical gloves.

Thousands of patients to benefit from life-saving COVID-19 treatment

Published: 20/09/21

Group of people sat at a table together working on their laptops.

Old Mill continues expansion

Published: 10/09/21

Vials of liquid with stickers on reading 'COVID-19 Vaccine'.

UK signs deal with Pfizer/BioNTech for 35 million vaccines

Published: 23/08/21

Planning for the road ahead – Covid, Furlough and the future

Published: 18/08/21

New posters for businesses to display to remind staff and customers of continuing covid actions

Published: 27/07/21

COVID-19 Response: Summer 2021

Published: 19/07/21

Prime Minister sets out plan to ease restrictions at step 4

Published: 6/07/21

How to stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19)

Published: 25/05/21

Restrictions on businesses and venues in England

Published: 17/05/21

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)

Published: 17/05/21

(COVID-19) Coronavirus restrictions: what you can and cannot do

Published: 17/05/21

Government sets out new timeline for border control processes

Published: 11/05/21

Further easing of COVID restrictions confirmed. Planned Step 3 easements will go ahead on 17 May.

Published: 11/05/21

Clubs in Crisis Fund Opens for Local Applications Across the UK

Published: 20/04/21

Reopening businesses and venues in England

Published: 15/04/21

Closing certain businesses and venues in England

Published: 15/04/21

Commercial rents and COVID-19: call for evidence

Published: 15/04/21

Recovery Loan Scheme launched

Published: 14/04/21

Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for pregnant employees

Published: 1/04/21

COVID-19 restrictions posters: 29 March 2021

Published: 1/04/21

Enabling safe and effective volunteering during coronavirus (COVID-19)

Published: 30/03/21

Business rates relief boosted with new £1.5 billion pot

Published: 30/03/21

Maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace

Published: 29/03/21

NHS Test and Trace in the workplace

Published: 29/03/21

(COVID-19) Coronavirus restrictions: what you can and cannot do

Published: 29/03/21

Government announces latest tranche of funding from winter phase of sport survival package

Published: 29/03/21

Published: 23/03/21

Further support for commercial and residential tenants

Published: 16/03/21

Applications Invited for UK Local Environmental Initiatives Fund

Published: 11/03/21

Chancellor Announces £5bn Grant Scheme for England's COVID-hit Firms

Published: 11/03/21

Check if your business is eligible for the coronavirus Closed Businesses Lockdown Payment

Published: 11/03/21

Check if you're eligible for the coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant (for closed businesses)

Published: 11/03/21

Check if you're eligible for the coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant (for open businesses)

Published: 11/03/21

Check if your nightclub, dance hall or adult entertainment business is eligible for a coronavirus grant due to national restrictions

Published: 11/03/21

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

Published: 10/03/21

Check if your business is eligible for a coronavirus grant due to national lockdowns (for closed businesses)

Published: 10/03/21

Updates to tax charges when a person is no longer eligible to Self-Employment Income Support Scheme payments

Published: 4/03/21

Recovery Loan Scheme

Published: 4/03/21

Swindon less reliant on furloughs

Published: 23/02/21

Fairford Air Tattoo cancelled

Published: 23/02/21

COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021

Published: 22/02/21

Targeted COVID-19 rapid community testing to get under way from 18 February

Published: 18/02/21

Government boost to rapid workplace testing

Published: 11/02/21

SW business confidence falls

Published: 9/02/21

Council joins forces with HSE to crack down on businesses who are not COVID-compliant

Published: 26/01/21

New Round of Culture Recovery Fund Grants Programme Open for England

Published: 25/01/21

Culture Recovery Fund for Independent Cinemas - Round Two Now Open

Published: 25/01/21

Swindon and Wiltshire Careers Hub Education Conference: “Developing an Innovative Careers Programme in a Post COVID-19 World”

Published: 15/01/21

Nationwide to lead UK recovery group

Published: 15/01/21

E-commerce 'to drive packaging growth'

Published: 13/01/21

COVID-19 - Government support for businesses

Published: 13/01/21

Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage - Round Two to Open in Early January

Published: 7/01/21

Find coronavirus financial support for your business

Published: 6/01/21

Check if your business is eligible for a coronavirus grant due to national restrictions (for closed businesses)

Published: 5/01/21

Chancellor Announces £4.6 Billion Business Lockdown Grants

Published: 5/01/21

National lockdown: Stay at Home

Published: 4/01/21

New plans set out to transform procurement, providing more value for money and benefitting small business

Published: 4/01/21

New Additional Restrictions Grant scheme open for applications

Published: 16/12/20

Check if you're eligible for the Christmas Support Payment for wet-led pubs

Published: 16/12/20

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)

Published: 4/12/20

#WiltshireTogether Champions and Wiltshire Police join forces to share COVID Care Packs

Published: 2/12/20

Apply for a coronavirus Bounce Back Loan

Published: 1/12/20

Apply for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

Published: 1/12/20

Apply for the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme

Published: 1/12/20

COVID-19 Winter Plan

Published: 30/11/20

Businesses in England to receive £2.2 billion to see them through national restrictions

Published: 19/11/20

Check if you can claim for your employees' wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Published: 19/11/20

New Local Restrictions Support Grant scheme from Wiltshire Council opens for applications

Published: 16/11/20

Apply for a coronavirus Bounce Back Loan

Published: 10/11/20

Coronavirus (COVID-19): what to do if you’re employed and cannot work

Published: 5/11/20

Government extends Furlough to March and increases self-employed support

Published: 5/11/20

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)

Published: 5/11/20

People across Swindon and Wiltshire are being urged to come together and comply with the new national lockdown in a bid to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

Published: 5/11/20

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Grant Extension

Published: 3/11/20

Furlough Scheme Extended and Further Economic Support announced

Published: 2/11/20

New National Restrictions from 5 November

Published: 2/11/20

Plan for Jobs: Chancellor increases financial support for businesses and workers

Published: 22/10/20

Wessex Water Recovery Fund

Published: 19/10/20

Self Assessment customers to benefit from enhanced payment plans

Published: 8/10/20

The Prince's Countryside Fund Opens for Applications

Published: 6/10/20

Funding boost to help healthcare suppliers improve cyber security

Published: 30/09/20

New medical companies for Corsham

Published: 30/09/20

Tourism and hospitality - can an ERDF Grant help you and your business?

Published: 28/09/20

NHS COVID-19 app launching this week

Published: 24/09/20

Funding for Youth Volunteering Projects Related to COVID-19 Crisis

Published: 23/09/20

ERDF recovery grant open for applications from local businesses

Published: 14/09/20

Coronavirus (COVID-19): testing guidance for employers

Published: 10/09/20

Furloughing scheme to end soon

Published: 10/09/20

Grants to Ameliorate COVID-19 Pinch Among UK Theatre Workers

Published: 1/09/20

The Face of Business Inclusion in a Post COVID-19 World

Published: 25/08/20

Good Energy abandons plan for new HQ

Published: 4/08/20

£20 million nationally in new grants to boost recovery of small businesses

Published: 30/07/20

Covid-19 antibody testing at Zurich

Published: 21/07/20

Swindon Borough Council Coronavirus Business Support Grants: Discretionary Fund Round 2 – please read before applying

Published: 14/07/20

Published: 9/07/20

Thousands of business advisers to offer free services to small firms

Published: 9/07/20

Extra funding for service charities as veterans’ support is stepped up

Published: 30/06/20

Government Enhances COVID-19 Future Fund to Benefit More Firms

Published: 30/06/20

Applying for a moratorium under the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020

Published: 26/06/20

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) - Visitor Economy

Published: 25/06/20

Prime Minister announces easing of lockdown restrictions

Published: 23/06/20

Government provides further halt to business evictions and more support for high street firms

Published: 22/06/20

Swindon Borough Council Discretionary Grants Update

Published: 18/06/20

Changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Published: 17/06/20

Wiltshire Council's Discretionary Grant Scheme launches on Monday, 8 June 2020

Published: 5/06/20

Vodafone UK gives small businesses free broadband for six months

Published: 2/06/20

£50m funding for councils to safely reopen non-essential retailers

Published: 28/05/20

Larger businesses to benefit from loans of up to £200 million

Published: 27/05/20

Future Fund launched

Published: 27/05/20

Innovate UK Announces COVID-19 Continuity Grants and Loans

Published: 22/05/20

Future Fund Opens to Support High Growth Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

Published: 22/05/20

Public advised to cover faces in enclosed spaces

Published: 12/05/20

New funding to support dairy farmers through coronavirus

Published: 7/05/20

The Community Foundation for Wiltshire & Swindon Create Coronavirus Response Fund for the area

Published: 5/05/20

Bounce Back Loan Scheme opens for applications from today

Published: 4/05/20

Top-up to local business grant funds scheme

Published: 4/05/20

Apply for a coronavirus Bounce Back Loan

Published: 30/04/20

Cyberwell create e-learning Cyber Security and Data Management tool

Published: 30/04/20

GWP Group teams up with engineering company to supply visors

Published: 28/04/20

IPR offers virtual pairing scheme to help policymakers navigate coronavirus priority areas

Published: 22/04/20

Public urged to flag coronavirus related email scams as online security campaign launches

Published: 22/04/20

department for business, energy & industrial strategy

Apply for the coronavirus Future Fund

Published: 21/04/20

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: step by step guide for employers

Published: 21/04/20

Chancellor extends furlough scheme to end of June

Published: 20/04/20

Billion pound support package for innovative firms hit by coronavirus

Published: 20/04/20

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme up and running

Published: 20/04/20

Chancellor expands loan scheme for large businesses

Published: 17/04/20

Claim for your employees' wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Published: 17/04/20

Funding schemes for small businesses, social enterprises and the self-employed in wake of Coronavirus

Published: 17/04/20

COVID-19 Film and TV Emergency Relief Fund Now Open

Published: 16/04/20

Wiltshire’s tech-first accountancy firm, Purple Lime, shares its top apps to help your business cope with lockdown.

Published: 14/04/20

Could you help feed the nation?

Published: 14/04/20

£5 Million COVID-19 Relief Grants for Young Entrepreneurs

Published: 9/04/20

Funding to Help England's Tourism Organisations through COVID-19 Outbreak

Published: 9/04/20

Coronavirus support from sector specific Trade Associations

Published: 9/04/20

Apprenticeship Programme Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Published: 8/04/20

National Lottery Community Fund Prioritises COVID-19 Projects

Published: 8/04/20

Financial support for businesses during coronavirus (COVID-19)

Published: 8/04/20

Apply for the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme

Published: 8/04/20

Apply for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

Published: 8/04/20

Coronavirus: £1million Defence innovation funding

Published: 8/04/20

COVID-19 Emergency Surplus Food Grants Announced

Published: 8/04/20

Charities: Covid-19 response

Published: 8/04/20

Swindon Borough Council announce £3.25m in grants for local businesses

Published: 8/04/20

£20 million for ambitious technologies to build UK resilience following coronavirus outbreak

Published: 7/04/20

Community Emergency Fund

Published: 7/04/20

Apply for the COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility

Published: 7/04/20

Swindon and Wiltshire Businesses asked to help with PPE equipment for NHS and care workers

Published: 7/04/20

£20 million for ambitious technologies to build UK resilience following coronavirus outbreak

Published: 3/04/20

Grants to Boost Tools for Vocational Training During COVID-19 Disruption

Published: 3/04/20

New Rural Response Emergency Grants - Mid April Deadline

Published: 3/04/20

COVID-19: New break in learning flexibility - How to use pause & stop in the apprenticeship service

Published: 3/04/20

Cash support for food redistribution during coronavirus outbreak

Published: 3/04/20

Chancellor strengthens support on offer for business as first government-backed loans reach firms in need

Published: 3/04/20

Almost £400 million to keep England’s buses running

Published: 3/04/20

Wiltshire businesses receiving much-needed financial support during COVID-19

Published: 3/04/20

UK Government COVID-19 Support for Businesses

Published: 31/03/20

Chancellor outlines new coronavirus support measures for the self-employed

Published: 26/03/20

COVID-19 Support for manufacturers

Published: 25/03/20

HM Government Coronavirus Business Support

Published: 25/03/20

Companies to receive 3-month extension period to file accounts during COVID-19

Published: 25/03/20

How to access government financial support if you or your business has been affected by COVID-19

Published: 25/03/20

Extra protection for businesses with ban on evictions for commercial tenants who miss rent payments

Published: 24/03/20

Full guidance on staying at home and away from others

Published: 23/03/20

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

Published: 23/03/20

New technology challenge to support people who are isolating

Published: 23/03/20

Coronavirus: advice for farmers and growers

Published: 23/03/20

Chancellor announces workers’ support package

Published: 21/03/20

Financial help for Swindon businesses

Published: 20/03/20

'Break in learning’ rule suspended for all affected apprentices due to Coronavirus

Published: 20/03/20

Tax helpline to support businesses and self employed affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)

Published: 20/03/20

Support for Wiltshire businesses affected by COVID-19

Published: 19/03/20

Chancellor announces additional support to protect businesses

Published: 17/03/20

Wiltshire Council publish a COVID-19 Community Pack

Published: 17/03/20

Production and supply of ventilator components

Published: 17/03/20

Government publishes updated COVID-19 industry guidance

Published: 16/03/20

Coronavirus (COVID 19) - Online resources for businesses and employers

Published: 12/03/20

COVID-19: guidance for employees, employers and businesses

Published: 11/03/20

Self-isolation advice

Published: 10/03/20

Articles and Advice

Business resilience in a COVID-19 world

“Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” Nelson Mandela

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Social Media for Business

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