Central Government (www.gov.uk)
The place to find government services and information.
Access specific information including: Benefits, Business and self-employment, Money and tax, guidance and all government departments.
For the latest information and advice concerning Coronavirus (Covid-19):
COVID-19 Government Response(www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response)
Guidance for Employers and Businesses(www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to- employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19)
Business Support Helpline (England):www.gov.uk/business-support-helpline
Telephone: 0300 456 3565 (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm)
Guidance on Government’s COVID-19 Support for businesses
The Government has announced a package of to support businesses including:
Coronavirus – Looking after your staff
Public Health England has published guidance for employees, employers and businesses in providing advice about COVID-19.
Planning rules to be relaxed so pubs and restaurants can operate as hot food takeaways
The Government has confirmed that planning rules will be relaxed so pubs and restaurants can operate as hot food takeaways during the Coronavirus outbreak.
The relaxation will apply for a limited period and businesses will be required to tell the local planning authority when the new use begins and ends.
Coronavirus and claiming benefits for persons in work and not claiming benefits
The Department for Work and Pensions intends to legislate for employees unable to work due to coronavirus and eligible for Statutory Sick Pay to get it from day one, rather than from the fourth day of their illness. The legislation will retrospectively apply from 13 March 2020.
Pop up Business School has put together an online survival guide for businesses to navigate these uncertain times. This is completely free to access for everyone.
Jobcentre Support for individuals
The Department for Work and Pensions has made changes to jobcentre appointments, which will continue to be updated. The latest include:
Find out more on DWP’s dedicated webpage
Action to Tackle Overpricing
The Council’s Trading Standards will be undertaking proactive and reactive visits to assess whether retailers are selling items illegally or outside formal safety or manufacturer directions. For the latter this may result in enforcement action if found.
Please report any incidents to:
Business Support (www.businesssupport.gov.uk)
This website helps you find the right support, advice and information to help with the impact of coronavirus (Covid-19) on your business. The Government is doing its best to stand behind businesses and is asking businesses to do their best to stand behind their workers.
Access specific information including: Coronavirus news, Finance & Business Planning, Innovation & Technology, Leadership & Talent, Exporting, Scheme information on funding, tax, business rates, sick pay and employee retention.
Business Support Helpline (England):(www.gov.uk/business-support-helpline)
Telephone: 0300 456 3565 (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm)
Business Support FAQ’s (www.businesssupport.gov.uk/faqs)
Other Sources of Support(www.businesssupport.gov.uk/other-sources-of-support)
Support for Businesses from Outside of Government(www.businesssupport.gov.uk/support-for-businesses-from-outside-of-government)
Sign up to the Industrial Strategy Bulletin for the latest news and information(https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDECC/subscriber/new?preferences=true)
Mayor’s Office (www.london.gov.uk)
Official website of Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and the 25 London Assembly Members. Access specific information including: Policy, news, jobs, business and economy, information and contacts.
For the latest information and advice concerning Coronavirus (Covid-19):
Coronavirus Advice & Guidance (www.london.gov.uk/coronavirus)
Business & Economy(www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/business-and-economy)
London Borough of Bexley (www.bexley.gov.uk)
Official website for the London Borough of Bexley. Providing access to all local authority departments and services.
Access specific information including: Benefits, news, business rates, information and contacts.
Business in Bexley(www.bexley.gov.uk/services/business-bexley)
Temporary Rate Relief and Business Support(www.bexley.gov.uk/business-rates-grants)
COVID-19 Support(www.bexley.gov.uk/news/coronavirus-date-information-and-advice)
Bexley for Business (www.bexleyforbusiness.co.uk)
Bexley for Business is the London Borough of Bexley’s business engagement programme, providing support and guidance for all types of Bexley businesses.
COVID-19 Support(https://www.bexleyforbusiness.co.uk/covid-19-faqs)
Bexley for Business Newsletter(https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKBEXLEY/subscriber/new?preferences=true#tab1)
Royal Borough of Greenwich (www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk)
Official website for the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Providing access to all local authority departments and services.
Access specific information including: Benefits, news, business rates, information and contacts.
Business and Licences(www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/200208/business_and_licences)
Covid-19 Support(www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/coronavirus)
Royal Greenwich Business e-Alert – is another communication tool they are actively using and will be a main platform for sharing information with businesses. This had traditionally been published fortnightly as a newsletter but will be published more frequently for the duration of crisis. To stay up-to-date, all businesses are being encouraged to sign-up to receive e-alerts. Register on: www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/businessnews
South East London Chamber of Commerce (www.selondonchamber.org)
Official website for the South East London Chamber of Commerce. As the representative body for the South East London business community, they provide access to support, an extensive network of contacts and members and up to date information.
Federation of Small Businesses (www.fsb.org.uk)
UK’s largest grassroots business campaigning group. Not for profit membership organisation helping smaller businesses across the UK by providing business services and products to their members including: Advice, Legal Protection, PR/Crisis Management, Cyber Protection, Insurance Services, Debt Recovery, Employment Protection and Legal Services.
Coronavirus Support(www.fsb.org.uk/coronavirus)
For advice and information on joining FSB, please contact our dedicated Membership Adviser Rachel Barham. [email protected]or call on 07979 504080.
https://join.fsb.org.uk/ma/12500228
British Library (www.bl.uk)
National Library of the United Kingdom providing access to the world’s most comprehensive research collection. Supporting innovation and economic growth to the British Business Community. Providing a host of information to businesses of all sizes.
Business and IP Centre (www.bl.uk/business-and-ip-centre)
CNT Associates Ltd (www.cntassociates.com)
Business and Community services company working with businesses, social enterprises, education providers, and other civil sector organisations. Services provided include training, coaching, mentoring, fundraising and support accessing funding and writing bids and applications.
For business advice or support with funding applications contact Gary Parker, Managing Director – [email protected]or call 07786 628512.
GCDA (www.gcda.coop)
GCDA- Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency supports communities to be healthy and sustainable. Developing enterprises which meet their economic and social needs. Support includes business advice, training, food business specific support with access to their extensive network of businesses and partners.
East London Business Place (www.elbp.co.uk)
East London Business Place (ELBP) is a support and supply-chain brokerage organisation which develops the business competitiveness of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) across London and the Thames Gateway. Support includes information, advice and guidance, business support and access to extensive network of contacts.
If you need business support now and post-crisis then please contact Clive Jelf, Business Growth Manager for the Royal Borough of Greenwich directly on [email protected]or call 07583 150566.
COVID-19 Response Plan(www.elbp.co.uk/elbp-building-legacies-covid-19-response-plan)
South East Enterprise (www.seenterprise.co.uk)
South East Enterprise is one of the leading enterprise agencies in London providing a range of business services for start-up and established businesses. Support includes business advice, accessing finance and access to the extensive business network.
British Business Bank (www.british-business-bank.co.uk)
The British Business Bank’s aim is to make finance markets work better for small businesses in the UK at all stages of their development: starting up, scaling up and staying ahead.
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) – (www.british-business-bank.co.uk/ourpartners/coronavirus-business-interruption-loan-scheme-cbils/)
UK Finance (www.ukfinance.org.uk)
UK Finance is the collective voice for the banking and finance industry.
Representing more than 250 firms across the industry, they act to enhance competitiveness, support customers and facilitate innovation.
They work for and on behalf of their members to promote a safe, transparent and innovative banking and finance industry. They offer research, policy expertise, thought leadership and advocacy in support of their work.
Covid-19 Support (www.ukfinance.org.uk/covid-19)
Small Business Commissioner (www.smallbusinesscommissioner.gov.uk)
The Small Business Commissioner (SBC) is an independent public body set up by Government under the Enterprise Act 2016 to tackle late payment and unfavourable payment practices in the private sector. The SBC covers the whole of the UK - England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
London Growth Hub (www.growthhub.london)
To support London-based businesses, the London Growth Hub has brought together essential resources to help your business manage and mitigate its exposure to the impact of coronavirus. The page includes a checklist to prepare your business for coronavirus, guidance, Government support and financial support.
Visit: (https://www.growthhub.london/covid-19-coronavirus-support-for-businesses-and-employers/ )
