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Looking ahead and preparing for the future is now a key element of business planning, as a staged, national recovery programme is rolled out.

The local Business Resilience Programme, supported by the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, offers companies  expert guidance on planning for a phased exit from lockdown and return to growth.  This free business support webinar programme is available during May and June. 

Find out more and register here

Employers are facing a range of issues during the coronavirus pandemic, from reduced working hours, to redundancies and recruitment.  Jobs Fuse is a new service in North Yorkshire providing businesses with free support on managing these workforce matters. 

Providing employers with a named contact, expert support and information on training and potential funding, Jobs Fuse brings together the National Careers Service, Department for Work and Pensions and the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub.

Discover how Jobs Fuse can help you and your business

The Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund was initially announced by the Government in early May. Also known as the 'top-up grant', the fund is for small businesses with less than 50 employees.  

The Government will be providing further details about the grant , eligibility and priorities for funding during May. Until this information and the grant application process is confirmed the council (local authority for the Harrogate district) is unable to respond to related enquiries. 

Check the council's website and business e-news for updates 

Government funding support for employees salaries was extended this week, to the end of October.

The Job Retention Scheme will continue in its current form until the end of July, offering 80% of salary up to £2,500 a month. Changes to the scheme will be effective from August, with more details announced in May. 

Read more on the Job Retention Scheme 

Selling overseas creates new business opportunities, and questions.  

Answering those questions, with expert advice and solutions, is a key feature of the COVID-19 webinar series by the Department for International Trade. 

The live webinars, which include a Q&A, are free to all UK companies. Among the topics are 'how to uplift international online sales' and 'building resilience for now and the future'.

Read more and register here

Applications open today, 13 May, for funding from the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.  

The scheme allows people who are self-employed to claim a grant of 80% of average monthly trading profits, capped at £7,500.

The online process has been set up to process eligible claims as soon as possible, with payments  made in six working days.  

Find out about the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

As workplaces begin to reopen, safety guidance on public transport services has been updated and extended. 

This latest information relates to people using public transport, when there is no alternative means of travel, and working in the transport sector during the coronavirus outbreak.

Read more on transport and travel 

Buses for Business is a new initiative by service provider Transdev, which is inviting local businesses to share their views and 'help make buses better for your business'.  

As travel starts to increase over the coming months, the company is asking customers and companies to influence future service provision, so it can meet local needs.

Complete the Buses for Business survey

Proposals for a phased recovery strategy were released by the Government this week. 

Outlining a three step programme the Plan to Rebuild is  intended to help businesses as they prepare to open. 

Step one of the recovery plan applies from 13 May.  Working from home should continue, wherever possible. Those workplaces that are allowed to open should adopt 'Covid-19 Secure' workplace practices as soon as practicable.