Hounslow Business Task Force - Free Webinars:

Hounslow Chamber has been supporting Hounslow businesses since 1909. We are hosting our next Business Task Force webinar on Thursday, 30 th April at 10:00 am, in conjunction with Chiswickbuzz , in our continuing commitment to our businesses across the borough and wider community.

As always our businesses have reacted quickly to the ‘new normal’, working from home and changing their offer in tune with the times.  However, with the constant changes that are taking place daily, much advice is needed on how to succeed during these unprecedented times, and once we start to come out of lockdown.   

Our expert panel is here to give you that advice and help.
DAILY BUSINESS BRIEFING FROM GOVERNMENT'S COVID-19 PRESS CONFERENCE (courtesy of White Label)

The government has pledged more than £40million to support the UK’s leading scientists and manufacturers develop the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine.

Speaking at today’s Downing Street Press Conference, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said human trials would be starting this week, as work was accelerated, and he announced more than £40m in funding to support two projects for clinical trials.

“The upside of being the first country in the world to develop a successful vaccine is so huge that I am throwing everything at it,” he said.

“In the long run, the best way to defeat the virus is a vaccine,” he said. “The UK has been at the forefront of the global effort and spent more money than any other country on the global search for a vaccine and two leading advances are taking place here at home, at Oxford University and Imperial College.

“Both projects are making rapid progress and I have told the scientists we will do everything in our power to support them. At the same time, we are investing in manufacturing capability so if either of these vaccines work, we can make it available for British people as soon as humanly possible.

“The virus is a powerful enemy, but the power of human ingenuity is stronger.”

New Coronavirus business support finder tool launched to signpost businesses to the right grants, loans and funds

A new ‘support finder’ tool launched today by the government will help businesses and self-employed people across the UK to quickly and easily determine what financial support is available to them during the coronavirus pandemic.

The new online platform on gov.uk asks business owners and the self-employed to fill out a quick and simple online questionnaire. They will then be directed to a list of all the financial support they may be eligible for. You can find out more about the tool here.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “Businesses of all shapes and sizes play a vital role in our economy, which is why we want to make it as easy as possible for all of them to access our wide-ranging package of financial support during this challenging time.”


ADDITIONAL NEW GUIDANCE RELEASED TODAY

Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme
Rishi Sunak unveils the final details of CLBILS

Vulnerable groups set to benefit from improved legal aid support
Some of the most vulnerable people in society, including victims of domestic abuse, will be given enhanced support through their legal aid after changes unveiled today (21 April 2020).
Pay it Forward   for the future of London businesses: The Mayor of London’s Pay it Forward initiative with Crowdfunder is offering 100% free fundraising to help businesses to secure trade by pre-selling vouchers, goods and services. You can get involved by crowdfunding for your business, supporting your local business or nominating a business.   Find out more .
HMRC advice

As part of the government’s commitment to provide support to businesses and employers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, HMRC have been offering live webinars on the Job Retention Scheme.

The following live webinar provides an overview of the support available to help employers and your employees deal with the economic impacts of COVID-19.

Places are extremely limited so please save your place now.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Job Retention Scheme

During this webinar we’ll be taking a look at:
  • furloughed workers
  • who can apply for the scheme
  • following the rules of the scheme
  • how much may be claimed
  • how to claim and what you’ll need to claim.


If you’ve missed any of our other recent webinars, or have been unable to join, you can now view a recording on HMRC’s YouTube channel .

We will endeavour to bring you the most up-to-date information to keep you fully informed of changes as they develop.

Stay at home. Protect the NHS. Save lives.

Jim Harra
First Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive – HMRC
Updated Statement on Furlough Scheme (21st April 2020) A TfL spokesperson said: “The success of the vital advice for people to stay at home and to only make essential journeys has seen a huge reduction in passenger numbers and has of course hugely reduced our fares and other revenue. We have minimised our operational costs significantly over recent years, meaning it costs around £600m a month to run our entire transport network. We are having constructive discussions with the Government about the support we need so that we can continue to serve the city effectively and carry on with the vital work that needs to be done during the pandemic and support the national effort to beat it.”
Good News:
Hounslow Chamber of Commerce is the primary support, networking, and representation organisation in west London for SMEs.

We support the interests, the commercial aspirations and the investment for some 18,000 firms - from Chiswick to Feltham, Heathrow to Osterley and Brentford to Bedfont - the Chamber is the voice for all businesses located in the borough.