City of Wolverhampton Council is highlighting the support and advice on offer to the self-employed during the coronavirus outbreak.

The government announced yesterday (Thursday) evening a Self-employment Income Support Scheme to help people through this difficult time.

Information on the scheme and how it will be administered by HMRC can be found at bit.ly/SelfEmployedSupport. There is also an FAQs section to refer to at https://bit.ly/SelfEmployedFAQs.

Councillor Harman Banger, Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “I am delighted the government has taken these steps to help protect the self-employed during these difficult times.

“I would urge anyone in Wolverhampton who is self-employed to look at the online guidance and ensure they have everything in order to meet the criteria.

“As a council, we are also continuing to work with regional partners to provide targeted advice and guidance or sign-post businesses to the best source of help.”

For all the latest government business support measures visit: http://bit.ly/2IUD02v

The council has also outlined where to seek local and regional help.

The council’s Business Rates Team is taking the following steps in relation to the recovery of business rates:

• Suspending court action for recovery of business rates after March 19
• Issuing reminder notices to encourage contact from businesses, so that we can understand their individual situation
• Suspending the issue of new cases for enforcement agent action
• Negotiating repayments where possible and/or agree to a hold in recovery action for a period where businesses are struggling

For any businesses/tenants that rent property from the council and wish to discuss their position, please contact the Estates Team, Corporate Landlord, by emailing property.enquiries@wolverhampton.gov.uk and options will be discussed.

The Black Country Growth Hub has information on local business support programmes and business advice: https://bcgrowthhub.com/coronavirus-covid19

The Federation of Small Business has information for small independent traders: https://www.fsb.org.uk/

Access to Business helps new businesses or if you are in the process of setting up in business: https://access2business.co.uk

The Black Country Chamber have online advice and a business helpline (01902 912322): https://www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/campaigns-projects/covid19-business-support/

If you would like to speak to a member of the council’s Enterprise Team, please call Jay Patel (07584 491216) or Jeff Marlow (07392 137481). 

As an alternative you can leave your contact details and a short summary about your business via the email at Business.development@wolverhampton.gov.uk and you will receive a response from the team the same day.