Weekly Update 10 March
Applications close for the COVID-19 Micro-business E-Commerce Grant (MBEG) on Friday 12 March 2021. We also provide a summary of extensions to business support schemes announced by Economy Minister Diane to cover the new period of COVID restrictions.
COVID Support
COVID-19 Micro-business E-Commerce Grant (MBEG)
Applications close on Friday 12 March 2021. Up to £5,000 to support 80% of eligible costs is available for micro retail businesses to grow their e-commerce sales.
Find out if your business is eligible for the grant using the online eligibility checker. MBEG will be issued to eligible businesses on a first-come-first-served basis.
COVID Restrictions Business Support Scheme (Part A and B)
This scheme supports businesses named in the Health Protection Regulations (not eligible for Localised Restrictions Support Scheme) who are restricted or required to close under the current NI COVID restrictions.
The deadline for applications has been extended to Wednesday 31 March 2021.
Large Tourism and Hospitality Business Support Scheme
This support scheme is designed to provide support to large businesses within the sectors of tourism and hospitality, that have been significantly impacted by lockdown measures.
The deadline for applications has been extended to Wednesday 31 March 2021.
New COVID-19 Supply Chain Resilience and Development Framework
This new COVID-19 scheme is designed to help NI businesses improve their supply chains which may have been affected by EU Exit and pandemic delays. This programme is to build a robust Northern Ireland supply chain ecosystem and help companies become more competitive.
The programme will provide each eligible business with advice to address key supply chain issues, with further advice available as appropriate on areas including supply chain movements, how to mitigate supply chain risks, how to manage suppliers and on how to repurpose supply chains to meet new business opportunities.
For further information and to check eligibility, click here.
The programme will close to applications at 5pm on Friday 28 May 2021.
EU Exit Support
Some of our clients have faced issues with EU suppliers being unable to validate the new XI VAT numbers for businesses trading under the NI protocol. The VIES website has shown the VAT numbers are invalid.
Any client who faces this problem should either contact the HMRC VAT line on 0300 200 3700 and state that they are trading under the NI Protocol or login to their VAT account through the Government Gateway and update it there or click here.
CavanaghKelly’s Una McKearney and Anita Doris will be presenting an update on Brexit and the impact on Northern Ireland businesses, and will also discuss the opportunities it presents.
The event will take place on Tuesday 16th March from 12:00 to 12:45 and to register click here.
New Micro Business Investment Scheme Now Open for Applications
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced that a £1 million capital grant scheme will open to help existing micro food businesses upscale production for their products.
The scheme opened for expressions of interest on Monday 8 March 2021 for a six-week period.
For further information on the scheme and eligibility requirements, click here.
There are new rules for NI businesses moving goods across borders or delivering cross border services. To support businesses, Invest NI are running a series of 1-1 advice clinics with specialist advisors from professional services companies and webinars hosted by experts. All NI businesses are eligible.
For further information, click here.
Government, Council and Other Support
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak presented the 2021 Budget against a backdrop of ongoing economic hardship. Following the announcement, CavanaghKelly produced a tax summary of the Chancellor’s announcement.
Our summary is also on our website and provides an overview of the key announcements arising from the Chancellor’s speech. Click here to view our summary document.
If you would like more detailed, one-to-one advice on any of the issues raised in the Chancellor’s Budget speech, please contact our Tax Team.
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Grant Aid Support
The Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is inviting applications from voluntary clubs, societies, community and sporting organisations. This is the first Grant Aid call of the year, for groups that deliver a range of programmes across the council area.
Grant and support applications are invited from the following categories:
• Community Services – Revenue
• Good relations
• Irish in the Community
• RECOVER Fund Programme
• Remembering & Commemoration – Decade of centenaries
• Seeding Grants
• Ulster Scots in the Community
Groups must be based in the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area.
Further information can be found on the Council website.
The funding call will close at 5pm on Tuesday 23 March 2021.
Mid-Ulster Council Business Start Up Grant
The Mid-Ulster District Council is offering entrepreneurs a grant of £250 if they both live in and intend to start a business in Mid Ulster within 6 months. Anyone interested in applying for the grant should complete a business plan through the Go For It business start-up programme and submit their application by Wednesday 31 March 2021.
For further information click here.
National Lottery’s Climate Action Fund (CAF) – second round now open
The second round of funding will focus on supporting medium-large scale projects addressing the issues of waste and consumption. Around £8-10 million is available between 12 to 15 awards and development grants.
Application deadline is 5pm on Thursday 8 April 2021.
UK Local Environmental Initiatives
Applications are being accepted by a national fund that seeks to enable the delivery of green projects and environmental initiatives by local organisations in the UK. Grants in the form of a donation of up to £2,000 are available. Funding is offered to charities, community groups, schools, small businesses and other local organisations in the UK for green projects and environment-friendly initiatives.
Applications can be made at any time and are reviewed on a monthly basis.
Support Webinars
Personal Data Transfers Preparation for NI Business Webinar
The Department for the Economy is hosting a webinar that will focus on the preparations NI businesses need to make to continually receive personal data transfers from the EU, including the Republic of Ireland.
This one hour session will take place on Thursday 11 March 2021 at 13:00 and is open to all businesses and anyone with an interest in the changes to exchange of personal data and how businesses need to prepare for it.
For further information click here.
If you have any questions, please contact us
Whilst every effort has been made by CavanaghKelly to ensure the accuracy of the information here, it cannot be guaranteed and neither CavanaghKelly nor any related entity shall have liability to any person who relies on the information herein. Information given here is for guidance only. Detailed professional advice should be taken before acting on any information contained herein. If having read the guidance here, you would like to discuss further; a member of our team would be pleased to help you.