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.
Micro Business Support – free webinars for those based in the Borough of Hounslow, self employed or with under 10 employees – please click here for the full details of all the Work Hounslow webinars on Eventbrite: http://workhounslow.eventbrite.com/
Work Hounslow is here to help, at your time of need.  Please do use this free service.

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has said any easing up of lockdown and risking a second coronavirus spike would be 'wrong' for SMEs and entrepreneurs at today's Downing Street press conference. Mr Raab was questioned about whether government would be releasing details about any changes to the lockdown measures or easing of restrictions on 7 May, when the current measures are due to be reviewed. Referring to the UK's small business community, he said: "Small businesses are the heart and soul of this country and we will do everything we can to help them, but it would be wrong to ease up too early and risk a second spike. That would lead to a second lockdown which would be wrong for SMEs and entrepreneurs."

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: March deadline today
More than 285,000 businesses have already applied for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme since it went live on Monday.

ADDITIONAL NEW GUIDANCE RELEASED TODAY

Apply for the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme
This scheme helps large businesses affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) to access loans of up to £25million. The scheme is now open for applications, click here to find out more.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for people receiving direct payments
Advice for people who buy care and support through a direct payment, as well as local authorities, clinical commissioning groups and those who provide care and support.
HMRC advice

As part of the government’s commitment to supporting employers through the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, you can now claim online for a grant for 80% of your furloughed employees’ salaries through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

The following live webinar provides a step-by-step guide on how to make a claim through the scheme.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – How to make a claim

During this webinar we’ll be taking you through the following steps:

  • essential information
  • before you make your claim
  • calculating your claim
  • processing your claim
  • after submitting your 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
Cyber Aware
Cyber Aware is the UK Government's advice on how to stay secure online during coronavirus.  
With many of us are spending more time online, fraudsters are taking this opportunity to target people.
Cyber Aware can help you learn more about how to protect your device by following these security measures:  

  • Create a strong password to keep your information secure.  
  • Setup an extra layer of online protection by using a two-factor authentication process  
  • Use the latest software updates on your devices to improve security 
  • Keep your data backed up on your devices so you don’t lose any important information 

Stay home. Stay connected. Stay Cyber Aware  
Good News:
The sun is still shinning
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.