For many small businesses, the end of 2020 may well have been spent trying to navigate the latest rounds of COVID related tier changes, lockdowns and 11th hour interpretations of the last-minute Brexit agreement. As a business owner, I’m sure you are looking forward to a time when you can simply focus on running your business without the rolling waves of external factors that characterised 2020!

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak, announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will remain open until 31 March 2021. Here, Dragon Argent assess what the latest announcements mean and how they might impact your business.

Last week the Chancellor announced amendments to the Job Support Scheme, which was itself replacing the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and comes into effect on November 1st. These amendments have been designed to increase support for businesses and workers. The government say the Plan for Jobs will significantly increase protection of livelihoods and jobs across the UK through the winter.

The UK's post-Brexit transition period ends in January 2021. The deadline for agreeing a deal with the EU is December and with little progress apparent in negotiations, small business owners and SMEs could understandably be concerned. Here we provide some practical advice on what small businesses should be doing to prepare in three key areas.

For obvious reasons, the way we work has changed over the course of 2020. What initially felt like a temporary, enforced adjustment has become a fundamental shift with businesses committing longer term to a more flexible approach to office-based working. There are specific tax relief implications that a material shift from office-based working may result in for employees or salaried directors. Here, Dragon Argent assess the tax relief benefits of working remotely.

Last week, the Government announced the introduction of the Job Support Scheme, which replaces the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and is designed to protect viable jobs in businesses who are facing lower demand over the winter months due to Covid-19. The scheme will open on 1 November 2020 and run for 6 months.

With UK government support in the shape of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) in the final stages of being tapered off, the ability for employers to furlough staff ends on October 31st. For some employers this will lead to difficult redundancy decisions, which, if handled incorrectly, could open them up to litigation in the future. This webinar discussion will provide employers with some clear advice on how to manage redundancy processes.

If your business has been using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) to furlough staff in recent months, are you aware of and prepared for its planned tapering?

Things are potentially about to become a lot more complicated for furlough pay, so understanding your options and requirements is more important than ever

During these difficult times it is important to consider the health and safety implications of staff members returning to the workplace

On 29th May 2020 the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced changes to the furlough scheme. These include some key dates employers should be aware of

During turbulent times, understanding your business requirements and available options is more important than ever. A further Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Directive was issued by HMRC on 22nd May 2020.

With the UK now thinking about planning the return to work, the following are key considerations for businesses

On Thursday 16th April the Treasury published a Direction to HMRC relating to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.