NASC Covid-19 News Stream

NASC Bulletin – 08.06.21

2. Changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)
From July 1 2021, the level of grant available to employers through the CJRS will be reduced and you will be asked to contribute towards the cost of your furloughed employees’ wages. To be eligible for the grant you must continue to pay your furloughed employees 80% of their wages, up to a cap of £2,500 per month for the time they spend on furlough.

For more information click here.

3. VAT Deferral
The VAT deferral new payment scheme is open for all businesses who deferred paying VAT due between March 20 and June 30 2020 and were unable to pay in full by March 31 2021.

Monday 21 June is the last day you can join this scheme. If you join by this date you can apply to spread these payments across up to eight instalments.

You can join quickly and simply online without needing to call HMRC. To find out more, including what you need to sign up for online, go to GOV.UK and search ‘VAT deferral’.

If you have deferred paying VAT, you may be charged a 5% penalty and/or interest if you do not join the VAT deferral new payment scheme by the deadline of June 21, pay in full by June 30, or get in touch with us to make an alternative arrangement to pay by June 30 2021.

If you’re still unable to pay and need more time, please contact HMRC – go to GOV.UK and search ‘if you cannot pay your tax bill on time’.

NASC Bulletin – 30.03.21

1. Lateral Flow Covid-19 Tests – Application Deadline
You can order free rapid lateral flow kits to test your employees twice a week in the workplace. Alternatively, if you have 10 or more employees and you cannot provide testing in the workplace, from early April you’ll be able to order tests for your employees to collect from their workplace and use at home twice a week.

You must register by 11:59pm on 12 April 2021. If your business is closed or you cannot provide tests now, you should still register so you can order tests in the future. For more information click here.

2. Lateral Flow Covid-19 Tests – Issues
Members that have requested free Covid-19 tests and have encountered any issues in obtaining them are invited to let us know here.

4. Extended Construction Working Hours Extended
In May 2020, the Government issued a statement outlining its expectation for local planning authorities to approve requests to extend construction working hours temporarily to ensure safe working in line with social distancing guidelines until 9pm, Monday to Saturday, unless there were very compelling reasons against this. A new written ministerial statement was published last week extending the end date of the original statement to 30 September 2021.

NASC Bulletin – 08.03.21

1. Free Covid-19 Workplace Testing
All businesses in England are now able to sign up to the Government’s free Covid-19 workplace testing programme. Businesses of all sizes, including those with fewer than 50 employees, can now register to order free lateral flow tests for their employees. For more click here.

NASC Bulletin – Budget Key Points – 04.03.21

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (Furlough scheme) has been extended until September 30 2021. Up until June 30, the support will continue as it currently is. During July, employees will continue to receive 80% of usual salary for hours not worked, but the grant will only cover 70% and the employer will need to pay 10%. For August and September, the grant will reduce to 60% and so the employer contribution will increase to 20%. For further information click here.

The Bounce Back Loan and CBILS will end on March 31 2021. A new Recovery Loan Scheme will be launched on April 6 2021, and be open until the end of 2021. Businesses of any size can apply for loans from £25,000 up to £10 million, for any legitimate business purpose. The government will provide a guarantee to lenders of 80%. Further information can be found here.

 

NASC Coronavirus Bulletin – 01.12.20

2. Face Coverings – Guidance
With more and more emphasis on the wearing of face coverings, the NASC has published guidance to assist employers with regard to their use and limitations. We think this might come in particularly handy given that packages with 50+ NASC-branded snoods inside should be arriving at your offices very shortly.

NASC Coronavirus Bulletin – 11.11.20

1. Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Extension Now Open 
You are now able to submit new Coronavirus Job Retention (Furlough) Scheme applications. For more on eligibility, what documents / information you’ll need and how to apply click here.

NASC Coronavirus Bulletin – 05.11.20

1. Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Extended
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak has announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be extended until the end of March 2021, with employees receiving 80% of their current salary for hours not worked.

He said that the Government intends to keep the national lockdown restrictions in England until 2 December, but stated that the economic impact of these measures lasts longer than the duration of any restrictions imposed. He said that given the significant uncertainty and the need to give businesses and employees security, it was right for the Government to go further in providing economic support.

For more click here.

2. CIJC 2020/21 Pay Position
Earlier this year employers representatives on the Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) agreed not to engage in pay negotiations for 2020/21 due to the commercial impact of COVID-19 on the sector, and the economic uncertainty that this has created for employers. As a result of this decision the 2019/20 rates remain current as previously advised.

Employers representatives have now completed their discussions with the trade unions and the union’s view on the position was noted. Further updates will be provided where necessary.

3. Working From Home
Many employees are working from home as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. What for many may have started as a short-term fix is now increasingly becoming a more long-term, permanent way of working. As such, employers may wish to share these resources with their staff:

ACAS – working from home

CIPD – Getting the most from remote working

 

NASC Coronavirus Bulletin – 02.11.20

1. New lockdown in England announced
See here for the Prime Minister’s statement and here for further details. There is also information relating to details for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

2. Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Extended
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) has been extended for a month with employees receiving 80% of their current salary for hours not worked and further economic support announced. Key points:

• The extended Job Retention Scheme will operate as the previous scheme did, with businesses being paid upfront to cover wages costs. There will be a short period when HMRC needs to change the legal terms of the scheme and update the system and businesses will be paid in arrears for that period.
• The CJRS is being extended until December. The level of the grant will mirror levels available under the CJRS in August, so the government will pay 80% of wages up to a cap of £2,500 and employers will pay employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and pension contributions only for the hours the employee does not work.
• Flexible furloughing will be allowed in addition to full-time furloughing.
• Further details, including how to claim this extended support through an updated claims service, will be provided shortly.
• The Job Support Scheme will be introduced following the end of the CJRS.

For more information click here.

3. Authorisation Letter Template
Build UK has produced an authorisation letter template for employers in the event of workers being stopped on journeys to and from sites anywhere in the UK. It can be downloaded here.

4. CLC – A Message to the Construction Industry
Andy Mitchell, CLC Chair, has written an open letter to the construction industry following the PM’s announcement at the weekend. It can be read here.

 

NASC Coronavirus Bulletin – 30.10.20

1. Job Support Scheme (JSS) Update 
To support individuals and businesses to deal with the challenges created by coronavirus (COVID-19) during this winter (2020 to 2021), the government is providing additional support to help employers retain their employees through the JSS.

Full details here. Key points to be aware of:

• There are two versions of the scheme JSS Open and JSS Closed and the Government contribution is different in the two situations – JSS Open is for businesses which are operating but have suffered a reduction in income due to coronavirus.  JSS Closed is for businesses which have been required to close as a direct result of coronavirus restrictions set by one or more of the four governments of the UK.
• Under JSS Open employees must work at least 20% of their usual hours and will receive at least two thirds of their regular pay for hours not worked, up to a maximum of £1,666.75 per month (£125 from the employer and £1,541.75 from the Government)
• Under JSS Closed employees will receive at least two thirds of their regular pay up to a maximum of £2,083.33 paid by the Government.
• The scheme does not cover employers’ national insurance contributions or pension contributions
• The Scheme will be open from 1 November 2020 and run for 6 months, until 30 April 2021 although the Government will review the terms of the scheme in January.
• Employers will be able to claim in arrears from 8 December 2020, with payments made after the claim has been approved.

2. Covid-19 Q&A Sheet
Click here to download a Coronavirus common Q&A document. Members may find it helpful to share this information with their staff and operatives.

3. CLC Product Availability Group
The NASC was represented at the CLC’s Product Availability Group meeting earlier this month. Key points to be aware of:

• Timber supply is heading towards demand outweighing supply – this may affect the price of scaffolding boards
• For full non-contracting members that import goods from the continent, they may wish to consider the following:
  • customs entry declarations – you’ll need an EORI (Economic Operator Registration and Identification) number from HMRC
  • you will need to decide if you will make your own customs declarations, or employ an agent to do it for you.
  • you will need to apply for a commodity code, this identifies the rate of VAT as well as identifying if you need a license to import.
• More details on all of the above can be found here.
• Steel product quotas – the suppliers of scaffolding tubes might be affected and subject to a tariff. For more information click here.

 

NASC Coronavirus Bulletin – 22.10.20

1. Plan for Jobs: Chancellor increases financial support for businesses and workers
The government today announced it will increase its winter support schemes. Details are laid out in full here. However, the key takeaways are:

Job Support Scheme (JSS)

When originally announced, the JSS – which will come into effect on 1 November – saw employers paying a third of their employees’ wages for hours not worked, and required employers to be working 33% of their normal hours.

Today’s announcement reduces the employer contribution to those unworked hours to just 5%, and reduces the minimum hours requirements to 20%, so those working just one day a week will be eligible. That means that if someone was being paid £587 for their unworked hours, the government would be contributing £543 and their employer only £44.

Employers will continue to receive the £1,000 Job Retention Bonus. The Job Support Scheme Closed for businesses legally required to close remains unchanged.

 

Business Grants

Additional funding is being provided to allow Local Authorities (LAs) to support businesses in high-alert level areas which are not legally closed, but which are severely impacted by the restrictions on socialising.

The funding LAs will receive will be based on the number of hospitality, hotel, B&B, and leisure businesses in their area. LAs will also receive a 5% top up amount to these implied grant amounts to cover other businesses that might be affected by the local restrictions, but which do not neatly fit into these categories.

It will be up to Local Authorities to determine which businesses are eligible for grant funding in their local areas, and what precise funding to allocate to each business.

 

NASC Coronavirus Bulletin – 20.10.20

1. Updated Site Operating Procedures guidance
The Site Operating Procedures (SOP) guidance has been updated by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and can be downloaded here. The NASC will review its own Guidance for Scaffolding Operations During the Coronavirus Pandemic to ensure it remains in line with the SOP.

2. IR35 Changes due in April
HMRC has confirmed that changes to IR35 legislation will be introduced as planned from 6 April 2021, and it is running a series of webinars for employers. Under the new rules, medium and large organisations employing workers through an intermediary will have responsibility for determining a worker’s employment status.

This is a fundamental change to the current system, and Build UK has published a practical guide to help businesses prepare for the new requirements.

 

NASC Coronavirus Bulletin – 02.10.20

1. HSE Inspections
The HSE will be carrying out its latest construction health inspection initiative from next Monday 5 ‐ Friday 30 October. Health and safety inspectors will be targeting construction sites across Great Britain, with the focus on respiratory risks, as well as Covid-19‐security.

2. Face Coverings – NASC Advice
Face coverings are now required to be worn in indoor premises providing hospitality, except when seated at a table to eat and drink. With more and more emphasis on the wearing of face coverings, this NASC guidance is provided to assist employers with regard to their use and limitations.

3. Corporate Governance and Insolvency Bill Update
Back in May we let you know that the threat of personal liability for wrongful trading was being temporarily removed from directors who try to keep their companies afloat through the emergency. This temporary arrangement expired on the 30^th September and has not been extended.

4. Judgment on FCA business interruption litigation
A keenly awaited Judgment in the FCA Test Case litigation concerning COVID-19 Business Interruption claims has been delivered. The Judgment provides guidance on disease clauses, hybrid clauses, prevention of access clauses and trends clauses. For more click here.

5. Talent Retention Scheme
The Construction Leadership Council’s Talent Retention Scheme is now live. This scheme is intended to help keep as many construction employees that may lose their current jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic in the industry. Employers are encouraged to sign up to the scheme here.

On the subject of jobs, NASC members are invited to post any vacancies they may have on the new NASC Careers website. To add a position go the Members’ Area on the main NASC website, click Info & Resources on the right-hand menu and then Post a Job Vacancy.

 

NASC Coronavirus Bulletin – 23.09.20

The Prime Minister said, in his statement to the House of Commons yesterday, that “In key public services – and in all professions where homeworking is not possible, such as construction or retail – people should continue to attend their workplaces.” and specifically that “construction workers can go to building sites”.

So for NASC members there is no change, you can continue to operate under the NASC Guidance for Scaffolding Operations During the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic and the Site Operating Procedures.

Changes announced yesterday can be found here:
England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland

 

NASC Coronavirus Bulletin – 15.09.20

1: Build UK guidance relating to contract terms
A New Normal in Contractual Practice can be found here and here. Building on this document, Managing Covid-19 within Contracts can be found here and looks specifically at dealing with the effects of Coronavirus within existing and future contracts.

2: Reporting an Outbreak of Covid-19 in England
Public Health England has issued guidance to support businesses in dealing with instances of COVID-19 infection. This includes action cards specific to Construction and other Outdoor Work and to Offices and Operations Rooms (documents attached).

Where businesses become aware of more than one confirmed case with symptoms dating within 14 days of each other then they must contact their local Public Health England Health Protection Team who will advise what actions to take. See here for contact details.

3: Process for employers in Scotland following an outbreak of Covid-19
Advice for workplaces in Scotland following contact with a case of Covid-19 can be found here.

4: Guidance for employers in Wales following an outbreak of Covid-19  Information for employers in Wales following contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 can be found here. An employee showing at least one symptom of COVID-19 must take a test and follow the self-isolation guidance.

If the test is positive the employee must inform the employer. If multiple cases of Coronavirus appear in a workplace, an outbreak control team from either the local authority or Public Health Wales will, if necessary, be assigned to help the employer to manage the outbreak.

Employers should seek advice from their local authority in the first instance. Only those who have had close recent contact with someone who then tests positive for Covid-19 will be asked to self-isolate.

5: Small Business Leadership Programme
Leadership programmes supported by Government funding are available to help leaders of SMEs employing between 5 and 249 people to grow their companies in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. For further details see here.

6: Companies House resuming the compulsory strike off process from October 10
Temporary measures introduced in April 2020 are ending. For further details see here.

 

NASC Coronavirus Bulletin – 14.08.20

1: Use of Face Coverings in Construction
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has today issued guidance on The Use of Face Coverings in Construction during Coronavirus (COVID-19).  The guidance can be found here.

2: Incentive Payments for Hiring a New Apprentice
Guidance can be found here on payments available to employers who hire a new apprentice before the 31st January 2021.

3: CITB Levy
CITB is introducing delayed levy payments and proposing a reduction of 50% for next year. Further information can be found here.

 

NASC Coronavirus Bulletin – 03.08.20

1: Modification of Planning Conditions Relating to Construction Working Hours
The aim of the new temporary fast track deemed consent route under section 74B of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 is to enable urgent changes to construction working hours to support safe construction working in line with the government’s latest social distancing guidance on construction and other outdoor work.

For many construction sites, implementation of this guidance will require changes to working practices, including staggered starts and finishes, requiring different hours of operation to those which are currently permitted for the site through planning conditions. For more click here.

2: New Law to Ensure Furloughed Employees Receive Full Redundancy Payments
The Government has introduced legislation to protect workers and ensure all furloughed employees who are being made redundant receive their full entitlement. Employees with more than 2 years’ continuous service who are made redundant are usually entitled to a statutory redundancy payment that is based on length of service, age and pay, up to a statutory maximum. For more click here.

3: Reporting Outbreaks of Coronavirus
New guidance for businesses on how to recognise, contain and report incidents of Coronavirus has been published. Covid-19 early outbreak management information has been created to make sure that people who run businesses or organisations:

• know how to recognise and report an incident of Coronavirus
• are aware of measures local health protection teams may advise in order to contain it.

For more click here. Various ‘Action cards’ have been developed to cover a range of businesses and organisations to provide specific advice on issues each type of organisation may face now lockdown restrictions have been eased somewhat.

The cards are designed to be printed or downloaded to keep on hand. The A4 Action Card for Construction and other outside work can be downloaded here.

4: Talent Retention Scheme Now Live
The Construction Leadership Council’s Talent Retention Scheme is now live. The scheme helps talented individuals showcase their experience and expertise while helping businesses find the skills they need. For more click here.

 

NASC Coronavirus Bulletin – 28.07.20

1: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Claims Deadline
Friday 31 July is the last day that you can submit Job Retention Scheme claims for periods ending on or before 30 June. For more click here. The Job Retention Bonus was announced on 8 July. More information can be found in the government’s Plan for Jobs.

2: Cyber Security Warning
An increase in cyber fraud in being reported across the country and we have received details of hacking affecting NASC members. Members should be careful to make sure that their staff do not follow links or open attachments on any emails where there are not completely sure of the origin.

Even where you think you recognise the name or address of the sender it is best to click on the name display on the email (to make sure that the true email address is the one shown) and also phone or email the apparent sender using contact details from another source not those shown on the email.

3: Digital Tools Survey
Members are invited to complete a London School of Economics survey on the adoption of digital tools in construction. LSE is interested in observing the impact of digital collaboration tools such as BIM and its effect on innovation, information sharing and decision-making.

If you agree to take part, you will be asked to complete a short 10 minute survey. Your participation is voluntary. You may stop taking part in the study at any time. The survey can be found here.

 

NASC Coronavirus Bulletin – 22.07.20

1: Scaffolding Operations During the Covid-19 Pandemic Toolbox Talk
The NASC has updated its Scaffolding Operations During the Covid-19 Pandemic Toolbox Talk. Version 3 can be downloaded here.

The updated toolbox talk mirrors revisions made to the Scaffolding Operations During the Covid-19 Pandemic guidance. These concern mainly the ‘relaxed’ social distancing rules which now allows 2m or 1m with risk mitigation measures where 2m is not viable and a few other (relatively minor) additional requirements contained within the CLC document ‘Site Operating Procedures – Protecting Your Workforce During Coronavirus (Covid-19) – Version 5’ and the latest Government guidance ‘Working safely during COVID-19 in construction and other outdoor work – Version 4’.

2: Phase 4 for Scotland
Construction sites in Scotland have been given the go ahead to progress to Phase 4 of the Construction Restart Plan, which is steady state operation (with physical distancing being maintained or controlled close working with PPE). Following confirmation that the supply of medical‐style PPE to the NHS and social care is assured, the guidance from Construction Scotland is that the wearing of medical‐style PPE can be added to the range of control measures available.

3: Talent Retention Scheme
The Construction Leadership Council’s Talent Retention Scheme is set to launch tomorrow. For more information and to register your interest click here.

 

NASC Coronavirus Bulletin – 10.07.20

1: CISRS Accredited Training Centres Reopen
Since June CISRS approved providers across the country have begun to recommence training at their centres. There are currently courses being delivered in 18 locations in the UK, with many more set to follow suit in the coming weeks. For more click here.
2: Coronavirus Job Retention Bonus
The Chancellor has announced the introduction of a Job Retention Bonus. This is a one-off payment of £1,000 to employers that have used the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) for each furloughed employee who remains continuously employed until 31‌‌‌ ‌January 2021. For more information click here.

3: Joint Taxation Committee (JTC) bulletin
Click here to download the July edition of the JTC Newsline.

4: Scaffolding Video for Demolition Contractors

The National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC) has produced a scaffolding safety guidance video for demolition contractors. For more on the video, produced with support and input from the NASC, click here.

 

NASC Coronavirus Bulletin – 01.06.2020

1: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) – Update
On Friday evening Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak outlined plans to change the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, also known as the Furlough Scheme. The key points were that:

• the scheme will close to new entrants from 30 June so the final date for an employer to furlough an employee for the first time is 10 June.
• from 1 July employers will be able to bring employees back from furlough part time and claim on the CJRS for normal hours not worked.
• from 1^st August the grant paid under CJRS will begin to reduce, in August the grant will not cover the employer’s NI and pension contributions, in September the grant will reduce from 80% to 70% of wages and in October the grant will reduce to 60%.

To read the Chancellor’s statement in full please click here. For more on the Job Retention Scheme and to submit a claim click here.

2: Postponement of the Reverse Charge VAT Scheme 
The Federation of Master Builders has written a joint letter on behalf of the construction industry to ask the Government to postpone the introduction of the Reverse Charge VAT Scheme, due to come into force on October 1 2020. To read the letter please click here.

The NASC supports this request and has been championing for this course of action since the Covid-19 pandemic began. We will keep you informed with progress on this issue.

 

NASC Coronavirus Bulletin – 29.05.20

1: Construction Scotland Guidance
Construction Scotland has published two documents to assist businesses in the preparation for reopening of all sites. These documents are the Construction Re-Start Plan and latest Working on site during the COVID-19 pandemic: Construction Guidance.

2: Construction Leadership Council People Survey
To help understand the implications of a reduced workload on the construction workforce, including apprentices and graduates, the CLC is asking all employers to complete this short People Survey. It should take no longer than 10 minutes and the information provided will be confidential with no company details required. The deadline is Friday 5 June.

 

NASC Coronavirus Bulletin – 28.05.20

1: NASC Publishes Site Audit Procedures (SAP)

The NASC has produced a document to assist its current and prospective members when receiving an NASC audit. The document, titled Site Audit Procedures (SAP), was created by the NASC Audit committee, with input provided by NASC auditors and full contracting members.

For more information and to download the SAP document, click here.

 

NASC Coronavirus Bulletin – 22.05.20

1: Scotland’s route map through and out of the crisis 
The Scottish Government has published Coronavirus (COVID-19): framework for
decision making – Scotland’s route map through and out of the crisis, which can be found here

The statement announced that from the 28th May the construction sector will be able to start to implement the first two phases in its restart plan.

The construction sector restart plan is described in a letter from the Scottish Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning here.

2: NASC ring round and survey
NASC staff have enjoyed making contact with many of you this week, if we haven’t managed to contact you and you would like to speak to us then please do get in touch.

Many thanks to all of you who have completed the survey, it will provide very helpful data for our conversations with Build UK and with Government.  If you haven’t yet completed the survey and would like to do so you can find it here.  Information received will be treated in confidence.

 

04.05.2020

Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS)

BBLS opens for applications today. More info here. Under the scheme:

• Businesses can borrow between £2,000 and £50,000, capped at 25% of turnover, with no fee to access the scheme
• The Government will guarantee 100% of the loan and there will not be any fees or interest to pay for the first 12 months
• Loan terms will be up to 6 years and no repayments will be due during the first 12 months
• Interest rates will be capped at 2.5% per annum
• Lenders are not permitted to take personal guarantees or recovery action over a borrower’s personal assets (such as their main home or personal vehicle).

To be eligible for the scheme, a business must be based in the UK, have been negatively affected by coronavirus (COVID‐19), have been trading on 1 March 1 2020, and not have been an ‘undertaking in difficulty’ as of 31 December 2019.

To apply, companies should approach a lender via its website and fill in the short online application form to self‐certify that they are eligible for a loan. You cannot apply if you’re already claiming under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS); however, if you would like to transfer your CBILS loan into the BBLS, you can arrange this with your lender until 4 November 2020.

 

29.04.2020

NASC Daily Coronavirus Bulletin – 29.04.20

1: Scaffolding Operations During the Covid-19 Pandemic Toolbox Talk – Issue 2
Issue 2 of the Scaffolding Operations During the Covid-19 Pandemic Toolbox Talk has been released following minor revisions. Download it here. Please ensure you refer to the latest copy of the document.

2: Scaffolding Workers Eligible for Covid-19 Testing
As part of the Government’s five-pillar strategy for Coronavirus testing, scaffolding contractors – under the umbrella of ‘construction workers’ – who have Coronavirus-like symptoms can apply to be tested to see if they currently have the infection. Employers can also refer their employees for testing.

You can select a regional test site drive-through appointment or home test kit. Home test kit availability will initially be limited but more will become available. More here.

3: Changes to Apprenticeships
Guidance for apprentices, employers, training providers and assessment organisations about changes to apprenticeships due to Coronavirus is available here.

4: DWP Launches Websites to Help Jobseekers and Employers
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched two websites offering labour market information for people looking for work now and advice for employers to help recruit them. The sites are jobhelp and employerhelp.

5: CLC Statement on Payments and Contracts – Reminder
Members may find the CLC’s statement on payments and contracts, available here, useful.

 

27.04.2020

NASC Daily Coronavirus Bulletin – 27.04.20

1: Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) – application advice
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has prepared some advice to help businesses to improve their CBILS applications which includes a list of essential things to be included. For more click here.

2: Coranavirus Job Retention Scheme – Payments Due
Grants for furloughed employees are now being paid through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, just six working days after the first claims were received.
Payments for claims made on Monday 20 April will be in employers’ bank accounts by tomorrow (28‌‌ April) and some have arrived already.

3: HMRC April Employer Bulletin
Click here to read. This edition brings you all of the latest HMRC updates to support employers and payroll agents through the Coronavirus pandemic. There’s information on the Job Retention Scheme, Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme, and deferral of VAT payments. There’s also guidance on how best to support your employees through this challenging period, and the impacts of COVID-19 on Off-payroll working rules, workplace pensions, the independent loan charge and more.

4: Early May Bank Holiday Reminder
Members are reminded that the early May Bank Holiday is not on the first Monday in May this year but instead on Friday 8 May to acknowledge VE Day.

 

21.04.2020

NASC Daily Coronavirus Bulletin – 21.04.20

1: Companies House support for businesses hit by COVID-19
Companies House will temporarily pause the strike off process to prevent companies being dissolved. This will give businesses affected by the Coronavirus outbreak the time they need to update their records and help them avoid being struck off the register. For more information click here.

2: Business Support Checker
Coronavirus (COVID-19) support is available to employers and the self-employed. You may be eligible for loans, tax relief and cash grants. Use this business support finder to see what support is available for you and your business.

 

20.04.2020

NASC Publishes Covid-19 Guidance for Scaffolding Operations

The NASC has today published detailed Covid-19 guidance to assist the scaffolding industry in operating in compliance with current safety guidelines.

The document, titled Guidance for Scaffolding Operations During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic, provides a broad range of advice scaffolding contractors might wish to adopt to help safeguard the health and welfare of their workforce.

New / revised risk assessments may involve enhanced site cleaning measures, changes to site organisation, new working arrangements and regular staff briefings. It is available for free download here.

Robin James, NASC Managing Director, said: “Scaffolding contractors – as part of the construction industry – have faced a significant challenge in recent weeks; continuing to operate where possible, as per the UK Government’s instruction, but also adhere to the Construction Leadership Council’s Site Operating Procedures (SOP) document.

“This latest NASC guidance is intended to help scaffolding contractors overcome this challenge. I’d like to thank NASC Council members and NASC staff for their hard work in producing this fluid guidance – taking it from an initial concept to publication in less than a fortnight.

“We expect this document will need to be revised in line with any alterations made to the SOP document, Government advice or Public Health England guidance. As such, scaffolding contractors are advised to regularly check the NASC website or social media channels for any updates.”

 

Submitting a Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Application

After you’ve made a claim:

• keep a note or a print-out of your claim reference number – you won’t receive a confirmation SMS or email
• retain all records and calculations for your claims, in case we need to contact you about them
• expect to receive the funds six working days after you apply, provided your claim matches records that we hold for your PAYE scheme – please do not contact us before this time
• to receive payment by 30‌‌ April, you will need to complete an application by 22‌‌ April
• please ask your furloughed employees not to contact us directly – we will not be able to provide them with any information on individual claims.

 

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Portal Now Live

Claims are now being accepted under the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, otherwise known at the Furlough Scheme. To submit a claim click here.

A step-by-step guide is available here.

The Chancellor confirmed on Friday that the scheme has been extended by one month until 30 June and there is an online calculator to help work out how much can be claimed.

 

17.04.2020

Additional Contractual Clauses Relating to Hire, Labour, Inspections, and Return to Work

The NASC has issued an appendix to its existing guidance document CG12:19 Contract Clauses. The appendix contains a selection of additional (model) clauses (in respect of the Covid-19 pandemic) which scaffolding contractors may wish to use when writing to their clients regarding contractual matters.

It can be purchased here.

 

16.04.2020

Job Retention Scheme Update

The Government has updated its guidance on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. The changes include:

• Extending the eligibility cut‐off date so that employers can now claim for furloughed employees that were on their PAYE payroll and notified to HMRC on an RTI submission on or before 19 March 2020 (rather than 28 February 2020)
• If an employee went on unpaid leave on or before 28 February 2020, a company cannot furlough them until the date on which it was agreed they would return from unpaid leave
• Companies will need to submit the following information for each furloughed employee:
  • Name
  • National Insurance number
  • Claim period and amount
  • Payroll/employee number (optional)
• Claims should be submitted via the online portal which is expected to be available next Monday 20 April 2020 as follows:
  • Fewer than 100 furloughed employees ‐ enter details of each employee individually
  • 100 or more furloughed employees ‐ upload a file (.xls .xlsx .csv .ods) with the details for all employees
• Companies should retain all records and calculations in respect of their claims.

The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has confirmed that the three‐week minimum period for furloughing an employee will remain in place. Furloughed employees can not undertake any work for the company which includes providing services or generating revenue.

 

Reporting Health and Safety Concerns

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has set up a website for workers to report concerns about health and safety where they cannot be resolved by speaking with their employer or trade union.

 

15.04.2020

Site Operating Procedures – Version Three

The Construction Leadership Council has published version three of its Site Operating Procedures. The key changes include:

• Confirmation that the HSE is the enforcing authority for PHE guidelines
• The need for sites to monitor the implementation of the procedures
• Further details on who should not travel to work
• Guidance for those who have no option but to share transport to work
• Information on the hierarchy of controls which should be implemented to reduce the risk of transmission where social distancing of 2 metres cannot be achieved
• Information on first aid and emergency service response.

 

9.04.2020

NASC Daily Coronavirus Bulletin – 09.04.20

1: CLC Statement on Payments and Contracts
This statement highlights the importance of maintaining cashflow to ensure the financial health of the industry and encourages all construction businesses to pay in accordance with agreed contractual terms.

The statement also says that “… firms should not be threatening to invoke penalty or other contractual clauses, when it should be the priority of all clients and firms to sustain the industry. Our actions at this time will be remembered. All firms should think hard about how their reputation could be damaged by not doing the right thing.”

 

2: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (aka Furlough Scheme)
Detailed guidance on the system for making claims is expected to be released before the end of the week. The application portal is due to go live on Monday 20 April with first payments received before the end of the month.

To avoid unnecessary delay in receiving payment, make sure that you have a functioning HMRC PAYE Online Services Account by following the advice given here.

 

3: Ensuring the wellbeing of furloughed staff
The NASC is encouraging contractors to keep in touch with furloughed staff during this difficult time. For more advice on this please click here.

 

4: Guidance on Contractual Guidance on Issues Caused by Coronavirus
Build UK has issued an updated guidance document prepared by Wedlake Bell with the intention of making it more relevant to subcontactors (see here).

The Scottish Contractors Group (which is the name of Build UK in Scotland) is working on their own addendum/appendix to the Contractual Guidance to make it applicable for those who are using contracts under Scottish Law.  The guidance is due to be available next week.

 

5: Companies House Accounts Filing
If you think the impact of COVID-19 will cause delays in filing your company accounts, you can apply for an automatic and immediate 3 month extension. You must apply before your filing deadline. Applications can be made here.

 

6: Bank Holidays and Furloughed Workers
In the absence of clarity from the Government about the treatment of bank holidays for workers on furlough, two approaches have been suggested. The two Easter Bank Holidays could be viewed as furlough days, paid as furlough days and included in the number of days counting towards the minimum furlough period of three weeks.  In that case the two holiday days would be carried forward to be taken at a later date.

Alternatively, the employer could require employees to take the two Bank Holiday days and would then pay those days at the normal rate. These days would then not be included in the furlough period and two further days would have to pass before reaching the three week minimum.

 

01.04.2020

Latest Statement from Government

Alok Sharma, Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, has written an open letter to everyone working in the UK construction sector.

It can be read in full here.

 

31.03.2020

NASC Calls for “Essential” Clarity