Coronavirus
(COVID-19)

 

PPE SUPPORT

Suppliers of PPE

 Manufacture and distribution of PPE

Welsh Government have appointed Life Sciences Hub Wales (LSH) as the primary contact for any organisation that feel they are able to supply, manufacture and/or distribute products or collaborate with others to develop products or solutions in areas which include Medical Devices, Infection Control and Digital Solutions.  If you are an existing supplier of PPE or critical equipment or are able to provide any additional support on either manufacturing, repurposing products or innovation, please contact the Life Science Hub through their innovation portal at:  https://lshubwales.com/call-industry-collaboration-fight-coronavirus. 

Offer of support will need to be submitted with essential information including evidence of certification and product standards.

Supporting additional construction and temporary accommodation for the NHS

Any suppliers specifically able to offer support for Planning, Construction and Implementation of additional/temporary accommodation for the NHS please register interest at HSS.COVID-19.PlanningCell@gov.wales

Any other offers of support

Offers of support not directly related to Medical Equipment or PPE, are being captured at a regional and local level.  Offers of this kind will be captured via a link to an online form which identifies offers by post code area.  This intelligence is being captured on a regional level not to meet existing demand but to be called upon in future if a need is identified. To register offers of this kind please complete the online form here.

Visor Protection Guide

This document is intended as a guide only to potential manufacturers of face visors in the current Covid 19 crisis.  You should ensure that your product complies with all necessary regulations.  

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Best Practice for Operational Start-Up

Follow the link to access a best practice summary for companies in relation to safe operational start-up following closure due to COVID-19

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INFORMATION AND SUPPORT

Below is information and guidance together with a package of measures put in place by UK Government, BEIS and Welsh Government to provide support for individuals and businesses affected by COVID-19. 

Please keep an eye on each of these links for regular updates and also note the information regards the 2 metre social distancing legislation.

Job Retention Scheme: 

How to claim

As you prepare to make a claim, please note:

• the online claim service was launched on GOV.UK on 20‌‌ April 2020 
• the only way to make a claim is online - the service should be simple to use and any support you need available on GOV.UK; this will include help with calculating the amount you can claim
• you can make the claim yourself even if you usually use an agent
• claims will be paid within 6 working days; you should not contact us unless it is absolutely necessary - any queries should be directed to your agent, representative or our webchat service
• we cannot answer any queries from employees - they will need to raise these with you, as their employer, directly.

Information you will need before you make a claim

• a Government Gateway (GG) ID and password - if you don't already have a GG account, you can apply for one online, or by going to GOV.UK and searching for 'HMRC services: sign in or register'
• be enrolled for PAYE online - if you aren't registered yet, you can do so now, or by going to GOV.UK and searching for 'PAYE Online for employers'
• the following information for each furloughed employee you will be claiming for:

1. Name.
2. National Insurance number.
3. Claim period and claim amount.
4. PAYE/employee number (optional).

• if you have fewer than 100 furloughed staff - you will need to input information directly into the system for each employee
• if you have 100 or more furloughed staff - you will need to upload a file with information for each employee; we will accept the following file types: .xls .xlsx .csv .ods.

If you want an agent to act for you

Please note:

• agents authorised to act for you on PAYE matters can make the claim on your behalf using their ID and password
• you will need to tell your agent which UK bank account you want the grant to be paid into, in order to ensure funds are paid as quickly as possible to you.

You should retain all records and calculations in respect of your claims.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan

The  Bounce Back Loans scheme is now open for applications. The scheme allows small and medium-sized businesses to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000 and access the cash within days.

• The government guarantees 100% of the loan.
• No fees or interest to pay for the first 12 months. Loan terms will be up to 6 years.
• No repayments will be due during the first 12 months.
• The government has also agreed with lenders that an affordable flat rate of 2.5% interest will be charged on these loans. Businesses can apply online through a short and simple form.
• You can find further information about the scheme, including eligibility, here.

 Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS):

• All viable small businesses affected by COVID-19, and not just those unable to secure regular commercial financing, will now be eligible should they need finance to keep operating during this difficult time.
• The government is also stopping lenders from requesting personal guarantees for loans under £250,000.
• Making operational changes to speed up lending approvals.
• The government will continue to cover the first twelve months of interest and fees.

https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-interruption-loan-scheme

UK Government Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS):

The new Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) will ensure that more firms are able to benefit from government-backed support providing:

• A government guarantee of 80% to enable banks to make loans of up to £25 million to firms with an annual turnover of between £45 million and £500 million.
• This will give banks the confidence to lend to more businesses which are impacted by coronavirus but which they would not lend to without CLBILS.
• Loans backed by a guarantee under CLBILS will be offered at commercial rates of interest.

https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-large-business-interruption-loan-scheme

Welsh Government Economic Resilience Fund:

A £500 million emergency fund which provides:

• Grants of £10,000 for micro-businesses employingup to 9 people. This includes sole traders employing staff. Qualifying businesses will be able to apply by mid-April.
• Grants of up to £100,000 for small and medium sized firms with between 10 and 249 employees. 
• Support for larger Welsh companies, which are of critical social or economic importance to Wales. This element will be open to qualifying businesses by 20th April.

https://gov.wales/new-500-million-economic-resilience-fund-launched-wales

UK Government £1.25 billion support for innovative firms:

• £500 million investment fund for high-growth companies impacted by the crisis, made up of funding from government and the private sector.
• £750 million of grants and loans for SMEs focusing on research and development.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/billion-pound-support-package-for-innovative-firms-hit-by-coronavirus?utm_source=ffc40ed9-89b2-4764-a93e-a02315d7e575&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate.

Guidance to employers and business covering issues such as keeping businesses open, adherence to public health guidelines and how to handle a COVID-19 case on site: