Greater Manchester continues to stand together as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds and the team at MIDAS remains dedicated to ensuring we support our clients as much as possible, especially now, as we begin to find solutions around social distancing and revitalising the economy.
Working collaboratively is second nature to the businesses that operate in the city region and the recently launched ‘Build Back Better’ campaign sets out to unite people and organisations who want to reflect, re-think and re-define how we move forward for the better. Find out more
here on how you can share your ambitions and get involved in building a better future.
We continue to enhance our range of support and guidance below to ensure we can support you effectively and efficiently, and as ever your feedback and insight is invaluable in determining how we can support you now and during the recovery phase. If you would like to share your experience with us please feel free to contact a member of the MIDAS team.
Official Government Resources
BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT >> This page provides guidance and further details about each of the following business support measures and schemes that have been made available to UK businesses and employees.
GENERAL BUSINESS SCHEMES
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Extension to Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and flexible furloughing, here is a webinar providing support on extending the scheme
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Deferring VAT and Self-Assessment payments
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HMRC Time To Pay Scheme
SCHEMES FOR SMALL-MEDIUM SIZED BUSINESSES
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Statutory Sick Pay relief package for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs)
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Small business grant funding of £10,000 for all business in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief
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Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme offering loans of up to £5 million for SMEs through the British Business Bank
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Bounce Back Loans Scheme offering 100% government guaranteed loans of up to £50,000 of which there won't be any fees or interest to pay in the first 12 months
SCHEMES FOR LARGE BUSINESSES
SCHEMES FOR SPECIFIC INDUSTRIES
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Twelve-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality, leisure and nursery businesses in England
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Grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
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£1 million Domestic Seafood Supply Scheme will support seafood businesses to increase the supply of local seafood
SUPPORT FOR THE SELF-EMPLOYED
EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE COVID-19 GUIDANCE >> Offering guidance to businesses and individuals about the Coronavirus, how to help prevent the spread and what to do if a person displays symptoms.
Greater Manchester Business Resources
BUSINESS GROWTH HUB >> Providing FAQs, guidance and helpful resources on job retention, cashflow and supply chain management
EMPLOY GM >> Connecting employers with urgent temporary vacancies with individuals across Greater Manchester who are able to start work immediately during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Be Part of the COVID-19 National Response
On behalf of the UK government, businesses across Greater Manchester are pulling together to respond safely and rapidly to the COVID-19 outbreak, to support the NHS and ultimately prevent the spread of disease and save lives. Please find information below about how your business or your supply chain can get involved.
PROVISION OF VENTILATORS
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is looking for organisations who can support in the readiness to supply ventilators and ventilator components. If your company is able to provide support in the design, manufacture, supply or medical training of ventilators and/or ventilator components please provide technical specification and evidence of certification to our Life Science Sector Specialist, Catherine Davidson.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
The demand for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is rising rapidly and we are reaching out to businesses in the city-region and beyond to procure extra PPE equipment to support essential services and key workers.
If your business or supply chain can offer support with procuring the PPE items listed here, please provide details of your timescales for production and supply, the volumes you are able to provide, costs per unit, delivery estimates, and logistics to Tabs Khojani at The Growth Company or call 07703 800522.
DIAGNOSTICS AND VACCINES
To support the national effort to mitigate the spread of the disease and save lives, the UK government has requested support in diagnostics and vaccines. If your business is able to provide support with vaccines please click here to contact Public Health England or, to help in the manufacture and supply of diagnostics and testing kit consumables, equipment and laboratory PPE click here.
VIRUS TESTING - LABORATORIES
If your organisation can contribute your laboratories has a testing hub, please click here.
FOOD POVERTY
The economic impact of COVID-19 and pressure on community-based support networks means a significant number of Greater Manchester residents are now struggling to get essential food. If your business can provide support in delivering non-perishable goods to New Smithfield Market – specifically UHT milk, logistics and delivery using refrigerated vans, cool boxes, or other cold storage please contact Manchester City Council here.