Tag: financial support

All You Need to Know about the COVID-19 Kickstart Scheme

Since the first national lockdown in March 2020, the government have implemented a variety of schemes to provide financial support to businesses and workers throughout the UK.

2020 saw a record number of redundancies, and one of the hardest hit brackets was 16-24-year-olds. What’s more, one of the most affected sectors is the leisure and hospitality industry who are heavy recruiters of this age bracket. Thousands of young people also left full time education last year with limited employment prospects. As such, the government launched a £2 billion fund aimed at generating more employment opportunities for young people. Introducing: the COVID-19 Kickstart Scheme.  

What is the COVID-19 Kickstart Scheme?

The scheme is specifically aimed at young people between 16 and 24, who are currently claiming Universal Credit and may be at risk of long-term unemployment. The government will fund 100% of job placements for young people, covering national minimum wage for 25 hours a week as well as national insurance and pension contributions so there is no cost to the business. You can choose to offer more than the national minimum wage, and more than 25 hours per week, however this won’t be covered by government funding and you will have to pay the difference.

How Does the Scheme Work?

Any organisation, no matter how big or small, can apply to the scheme. There are however some criteria that the placement must meet:

  • It must last at least six months and be for at least 25 hours work per week.
  • The placement must not be for a role that has already been advertised.
  • The placement must not cause existing employees or apprentices to lose their job or have their employment reduced.
  • The role shouldn’t require extensive training before the placement can start.
  • It must include support for young people to help them get work after they finish (if they’re not taken on longer term following the placement).

How Do I Apply?

The scheme was officially launched in September 2020 and is expected to continue until at least December 2021. When the scheme first launched there was initially a caveat that employers would have to offer a minimum of 30 placements to qualify for the scheme. However, as this was ruling out many smaller employers, the government has recently removed this requirement.

To apply for the scheme, you can either do so online yourself or you can seek the assistance of a Kickstart gateway who is already working with the Kickstart scheme. A Kickstart gateway can be any type of organisation, but one that already has a Kickstart Scheme grant agreement in place, which they can add employers and job placements onto. More information can be found here.

What are the Benefits to my Business?

It’s clear that the COVID-19 Kickstart Scheme will help a lot of young people get back into employment, but this is also a great opportunity for businesses and employers. As the placements are fully funded by the government, businesses can benefit from an increase in skills and support, with no additional cost. There isn’t a long term commitment to provide roles after the 6 month placement has been completed, and providing all the necessary criteria are met, each employer will receive a £1,000 grant for every successful job placement.

How Can We Help?

If you are considering taking part in the COVID-19 Kickstart Scheme and as such may be dealing with an increased workforce, let your payroll be one less thing for you to worry about.

Want to find out more? Our friendly, knowledgeable team are on hand ready to help talk you through the best options for you and your business.

Contact us today to discuss your payroll solutions and what we can do for you.

  • Your Details

The National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage are increasing in April 2021: Are you ready?

Chancellor Rishi Sunak recently unveiled his 2021 Budget that will see millions of workers across the country receive a pay rise.

Amongst the raft of additional financial support for both people and business that was announced on 3rd March as we continue to feel the impact of the pandemic, was the welcome news that as of 1st April this year, there will be a 2.2% increase to the National Living Wage, lifting it from £8.71 per hour to £8.91 per hour.

The National Living Wage previously only covered those aged 25 and over. However, the age threshold to qualify has now been extended to cover anyone aged 23 and over. This means over two million of the lowest paid workers in the UK will benefit from this increase.

For those under the age of 23, the National Minimum Wage has also been boosted, to £8.36 for those aged 21-22 and £6.56 for 18–20-year-olds.

The rate of pay for apprentices has also increased by 3.6% and the Chancellor has further announced that the incentive payments to businesses for recruiting apprentices will be doubled to £3,000 for all new hires, of any age.   

It’s worth noting that there weren’t any changes announced in regard to pensions, for both employer and employee contributions. Additionally, at present there are no changes to employee national insurance rates.

We’ve outlined the wage increases by age in the table below:

Age RangeLast YearFrom April 2021
Apprentice Rate£4.15£4.30 (up 3.6%)
Age 16-17£4.55£4.62 (up 1.5%)
Age 18-20£6.45£6.56 (up 1.7%
Age 21-22£8.20£8.36 (up 2%)
Age 23 or over£8.72£8.91 (up 2.2%)

How Can We Help?

Whilst the increases to both the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage are welcome news for low paid workers across the UK, there are cost implications for employers who will need to factor in the increased labour cost to their operating costs.

If you are unsure about how the wage changes will impact your business and need some help with your payroll, we are here to help.

Our friendly, knowledgeable team are on hand ready to help talk you through the best options for you and your business.

Contact us today to discuss your payroll needs and what we can do for you.

  • Your Details

The New Lockdown Grants: Who is Eligible and How to Apply

As the country was plunged into another coronavirus lockdown on 6th January 2021, which is currently expected to last until at least the end of February, consumer-facing businesses were once again left terrified for their business’s survival.

Businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors have endured months of closure since the first national lockdown in March 2020, followed by a cycle of limited time reopening’s, causing a huge drop in profits.

It’s clear that help is needed to get through this lockdown and to the better days of Spring we’re all wishing for. Chancellor Rishi Sunak has responded by announcing a one-off grant worth up to £9,000 to support these businesses. The total package, costing an estimated £4.6 billion, is expected to assist more than 600,000 businesses who are unable to operate due to the latest lockdown restrictions.  

In this blog, we’ll be taking a look at who is eligible and how to apply.

How Much Is My Business Entitled To?

If your business is in the retail, leisure or hospitality sector which has been legally required to close in the latest lockdown, and cannot operate effectively remotely, then you are eligible for a grant.

The amount of the grant to be offered will be based on the level of business rates typically paid by each business as outlined in the table below.

Rateable Business ValueClaim
£15,000 or lessUp to £4,000
Between £15,000 and £51,000Up to £6,000
More than £51,000Up to £9,000

How Do I Apply for a Grant?

All businesses need to apply through their local authorities. Click here to be taken to the government website to find the right local authority to contact to submit your application.


What If My Business Is Not Eligible But I Still Need Financial Support?

An additional £594 million is also being made available for local authorities and the devolved administrations to support businesses who may not be eligible for the grants.

From this discretionary fund, the Scottish government will receive £375 million, the Welsh government £227 million and Northern Ireland £127 million.

As with the one-off top up grant, you should contact your local authority to ask for support and see how much you might be eligible for.

Are There Any Other Options Available To Support My Business Through Lockdown?

Yes, the Coronavirus Job Retention scheme, otherwise known as the furlough scheme, has been extended until April and the 100% business rates relief measure is in place until the end of March.

Additionally, if you claim one of the one-off top up grants, you will still be eligible for other business support measures in place such as grants worth up to £3,000 for closed businesses and grants up to £2,100 each month for businesses who have been impacted, once they reopen.

How Can We Help?

As the stresses of 2020 have followed us into 2021, we understand that it continues to be a stressful and uncertain time to be a business owner. Here at Red Ark, we pride ourselves on the expert and individualised service we can deliver, with a personal touch. Let your payroll be one less thing for you to worry about.

Want to find out more? Our friendly, knowledgeable team are on hand ready to help talk you through the best options for you and your business. Contact us today to discuss your payroll solutions and what we can do for you.

  • Your Details