21 December 2021
Latest NHBF update – 21 December 2021
This week’s update covers:
- Scotland: COVID-19 changes from 17 December
- Wales: COVID-19 changes from 27 December
- Bank Rate increased to 0.25%
- Don’t forget to declare COVID-19 grants on your tax return
- COVID-19 guidance
Scotland: COVID-19 update
As of midnight on Friday 17 December 2021, the Scottish Government introduced a legal requirement for businesses to ‘take reasonably practicable measures to minimise the risk of transmission’. With the arrival of the new Omicron variant, they want businesses to strengthen compliance with current protection measures and make an extra effort to do so from now through the festive period and beyond.
We have updated our FAQs to clarify the latest guidance for close contact services.
Wales: COVID-19 update
First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced that Wales will introduce new restrictions from Monday 27 December to help protect against the spread of the Omicron variant. This includes:
- A new rule on 2m social distancing. This means when that when shops, businesses and workplaces re-open after Christmas, they will need to make some changes to the way they operate, including putting extra measures in place to protect customer and staff, such as one-way systems and physical barriers.
We are waiting for the latest guidance to be published and will update our FAQs when we have more information. Find out more.
Bank Rate increased to 0.25%
The Bank of England has raised interest rates for the first time in three years amid growing concerns over inflation from 0.1% to 0.25%.
Don’t forget to declare COVID-19 grants on your tax return
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding Self Assessment customers to declare any COVID-19 grant payments on their 2020 to 2021 tax return before the deadline on 31 January 2022.
It is important that customers check and make any changes to their tax return to make sure any SEISS or other COVID-19 support payments have been reported correctly in their Self Assessment. Read Press Release
HMRC has created resources to help customers complete their tax return including a playlist on YouTube, webinars and helpsheets and guidance available on GOV.UK.
COVID-19 guidance
Read our four nations’ FAQs which include links to the latest government guidance that must be followed.
Members can call our membership team, Monday-Friday, 9-5, on 01234 831965. Please be patient due to the extremely high level of calls we are currently getting.
For legal advice, Members can login to get our 24/7 legal helpline number. Again, please be patient. The legal team is also dealing with a considerable number of calls.