We have now probably all started to feel the effects of the COVID-19 crisis in one way or another. During this unprecedented time, it is now more important than ever to assure people and businesses about their future and we wanted to let you know that we are here for your business to help in the best way we can. We ourselves have made a few changes and the team from the Department for International Trade in the West Midlands is now working remotely and giving client support where they can via the phone or digitally.
Please continue to get in touch with us as we are here to help.
We also wanted to ensure you have the latest information on how to access financial support for your business which may help ease some of the effects COVID-19 may have caused already.
On 17 March, the Chancellor announced an unprecedented package of government-backed and guaranteed loans to support businesses, making available an initial £330bn of guarantees – equivalent to 15% of GDP.
This was on top of a series of measures announced at Budget 2020, the government announced £30 billion of additional support for public services, individuals and businesses experiencing financial difficulties because of COVID-19, including a new £5 billion COVID-19 Response Fund, to provide any extra resources needed by the NHS and other public services to tackle the virus.
The government will take new legal powers in the COVID-19 Bill, enabling it to offer whatever further financial support it thinks necessary to support businesses.
You can find further information on how you or your business can access financial support if you are experiencing financial difficulties because of COVID-19 in this document which will be updated as further details become available.
If you want the latest information on the government’s COVID-19 Action Plan you can go here.
If you want more information about the situation in the UK, along with guidance for what to
do if you think you are at risk:
