CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 13th May 2020

Furlough Scheme extended.
As expected, there has been an extension the furlough scheme. There is lots of detail still to come but we know the scheme will now run until the end of October (a four month extension) and employees will continue to receive 80% of their salary, capped at £2,500 a month. But major changes will be introduced from August. From then, so-called 'flexible furlough' will be introduced allowing furloughed workers to return on a part-time basis, something which we and many others have been calling for. However, employers are expected to share the cost of furlough with Government after July. How much of the furlough wages will have to be picked up by businesses is unknown. The Chancellor has said more information on how the revised scheme will work after July will be published by the end of May.

Study into livestock markets across the UK
As part of the Farming Round Table group we have been asked for support in feeding back to study into livestock markets across the UK. You may be aware that the Princes Countryside Fund had undertaken a study into the importance of auction marts to rural economies and communities and this was due to be published later this month, however with the onset of COVID19 they have decided to reopen the study for final evidence gathering given that auction marts have found a way to keep operating.

We would be very grateful if you could take part in this study and also to ask if you would be able to share more widely around your teams/stakeholders so they get a broad range of views coming forward to ensure that the study is beneficial to all? I have copied the link here:

—Click for Link

The final call for evidence ends on the 15th May so the window is tight.

UK Government scheme to support credit insurance
Work has been ongoing between the insurance industry and Government on trade credit insurance. The result of those talks was announced this morning by the Treasury. The UK Government is going to temporarily guarantee business-to-business transactions that are currently supported by trade credit insurance. The fear has been that with some businesses being unable to pay bills that either credit insurance cover could be withdrawn or that premiums could skyrocket. This new reinsurance protection from Government should ensure the vast majority of insurance coverage will be maintained. To put in some perspective around £450 million was paid in trade credit insurance premiums last year, covering £350 billion in business activity. It's not entirely clear when the scheme will be up and running, but you can see the detail of the news here.

Working safely during COVID-19 in shops and branches.
(Please refer to the attached document.)
This document is to help employers, employees and the self- employed in the UK understand how to work safely during the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping as many people as possible 2 metres apart from those they do not live with. We hope it gives you freedom within a practical framework to think about what you need to do to continue, or restart, operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This document is issued by the UK government and some of it may not be applicable in Scotland currently, however it is a good guide to refer to when lockdown is eventually eased here.

The Scottish Craft Butchers office in Perth is now closed following government guidelines.
We will be available to our members to answer any queries via email or by mobile phone and will be available out of office hours for any members wanting to contact us.
Our contact details are below
Gordon King: – [email protected] 07917524313
Bruce McCall: [email protected] 07834490922

Attachments:

• working-safely-during-covid-19-shops-branches-110520.pdf