Covid-19 Guidance Hub



19th October 2021

Recovery Loan Scheme: What you need to know

Update (29th October 2021): During the Autumn Budget 2021, the Chancellor announced that the Recovery Loan Scheme would be extended until 30 June 2022. From…

29th July 2021

COVID – working from paradise?

A few years ago, I was lucky enough to spend a fair amount of time on the beautiful island of Barbados.  So when the Barbados…

22nd July 2021

Fifth SEISS: New rules for the self-employed on the way – all you need to know

The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant has helped millions of self-employed people across the UK whose business and income has been affected by the…

7th July 2021

Turning challenges into opportunity: VOCES8 Foundation

The Show Must Go On: Supporting Artists and Creating a Worldwide Arts Community through Digital Innovation Partner: Andrew Rich Client: VOCES8 Foundation In three sentences, what…

17th June 2021

Latest on the VAT Payments Holiday – all you need know

To support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK Government announced temporary changes to the VAT system. Many organisations took advantage of the VAT payment…

17th June 2021

The Chancellor set to reject furlough extension despite Freedom Day delay

Speaking on the Chancellor’s proposed plan to reject calls for an extension of the furlough scheme, Simon Michaels says “The Chancellor finds himself in the…

25th May 2021

Deadline reminder: all you need to know about SEISS 4

The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant has helped millions of self-employed people across the UK whose business and income has been affected by the…

20th April 2021

Bouncing back… at what cost?

Over 1.4 million businesses took out a Bounce Back Loan last year. The scheme, which closed to applications on 31 March 2021, was heralded as a lifeline to…

18th March 2021

Insights to thrive in 2021 from leading business advisers: A conversation with Linda Plant and Simon Michaels

Linda Plant is well-known for her no-nonsense business counsel on BBC’s The Apprentice, as one of Lord Sugar’s trusted advisors in the interview stage. With…

3rd March 2021

Today’s budget: a short term recovery plan, but more detail to come… [UPDATED]

This Government has grappled with the largest deficit since World War Two and the need for a clear Covid recovery plan in this Budget. It…

29th January 2021

Business Interruption Insurance: what does the Supreme Court’s judgment mean for businesses?

The landmark Business Interruption Insurance court case came to an end this month as the Supreme Court ruled in favour of small businesses forced to…

5th January 2021

The Chancellor must now prioritise solving the relationship between Landlords and Tenants

Commenting on the latest financial support measures announced by the Chancellor today, Russell Nathan, head of our Hospitality team says: “The latest support offered today…

14th December 2020

Where there is a challenge, there is opportunity! Reflections on 2020

2020 has been a year unlike any other. It has been a challenge for all of us, in all walks of professional and private lives,…

11th December 2020

Taxation of SEISS grants: What you need to know

The extension of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) has been welcomed by many and will support small businesses until the end of the tax…

8th December 2020

Future of hospitality – navigating prolonged uncertainty

It’s been a difficult year for our clients and friends in the hospitality industry. Businesses across the sector have had to push the boundaries of…

27th November 2020

Are you virtual Christmas party ready?

Some good festive news to end on this month. There was some speculation that HMRC would not give the green light for UK employers to take advantage…

25th November 2020

Accounting Implications of Covid-19 Support Under FRS102 [UPDATED]

With so many different loans and grants available to businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic there are many new challenges in how to account for the…

18th November 2020

Covid-19: Top 10 considerations when it comes to protecting your business against fraud

Covid-19 changed the way we work overnight. And as we rapidly pivoted to working from home, the pandemic also changed the environment for criminals to…

11th November 2020

More help on its way for the self-employed! The SEISS scheme explained.

Following the announcement of a second lockdown, the government have announced an extension of the self-employed income support scheme. This scheme received praise during the…

5th November 2020

Furlough scheme extended until March – reaction from HW Fisher

Commenting on the announcements made by The Chancellor on an extension to furlough today, Simon Michaels, partner at accountancy firm HW Fisher said: Businesses will…

5th November 2020

All change! (again) – an overview of changes to Government support packages

We have lost count of the number of changes and announcements from The Chancellor that have been made since March. With the support available in…

30th October 2020

Life after Furlough: what we want to see from Government

As the Furlough period comes to an end, businesses in the hospitality sector will be taking a long hard look at their future. Despite a…

26th October 2020

The Chancellor’s latest support scheme – an FAQ

The latest Government measures come just weeks after the Chancellor’s Winter Economy Plan and Extension to the Job Support Scheme. With the support available in…

22nd October 2020

Chancellor’s revised measures: It’s a big ask for employers to fund a ‘redundant workforce’

Commenting on the revised measures announced by The Chancellor today, Simon Michaels, CEO of Business Solutions at accountancy firm HW Fisher said: “This is clearly…

15th October 2020

Tier 2 lockdown measures catastrophic for the hospitality industry

Commenting on the Tier 2 restrictions announced today, Russell Nathan, head of hospitality, said: “The tier 2 lockdown measures announced today will be catastrophic for…

14th October 2020

Covid-19 Support Schemes come to an end – what happens next?

Two of the Covid-19 funding schemes introduced by government to support businesses are coming to an end, with claim deadlines approaching this month. The second…

14th October 2020

Job Support Scheme Extension – your questions answered

The new measures come just two weeks after the Chancellor’s Winter Economy Plan, where he announced the Job Support Scheme – billed at the time…

9th October 2020

The Chancellor’s local furlough scheme – initial reactions from HW Fisher

Commenting on the announcements made by The Chancellor on furlough changes today, Russell Nathan, head of hospitality at accountancy firm HW Fisher said: “It’s a…

24th September 2020

The Chancellor’s Winter Support Package – initial reactions from HW Fisher

Commenting on the announcements made by The Chancellor on a winter support package today, Simon Michaels, CEO of HW Fisher Business Solutions said: “It’s a…

23rd September 2020

New curfew for hospitality is another blow to the industry

Russell Nathan, hospitality expert at accountancy firm HW Fisher comments: “This announcement is another blow to the struggling hospitality industry, who have been patient and…

23rd September 2020

Covid-19 recovery: make the most of additional funding available

Among some of the various Covid-19 recovery schemes introduced by government to support businesses, is a new, little known, fund of £20 million from which…

15th September 2020

High Court – Business Interruption Insurance – businesses must now pay attention

Commenting on the decision made by the High Court today on the landmark Business Interruption Insurance case, Rafi Saville, forensic partner at accountancy firm HW…

26th August 2020

Q&A: All you need to know about the Business Interruption Insurance court case

Nearly 400,000 small businesses are waiting to see if insurers will be forced to pay out on their business interruption policies after a landmark High…

12th August 2020

Guidance for charities entering the second half of 2020

As we enter the second half of 2020, it is important for charities to take stock of best practices, and to lay a strong foundation…

31st July 2020

Business Interruption Insurance – why businesses should follow the High Court case closely

The covid-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented financial challenges for businesses across the UK. For those in the hospitality and leisure industry, many have had…

30th July 2020

Eat Out to Help Out scheme is proving wildly unpopular

From August, The Eat Out to Help Out scheme will be introduced, however Russell Nathan, senior partner, explains why it might not be as popular…

20th July 2020

It’s time for businesses to rewrite the rulebook

If your business can’t wait until January for the retention bonus scheme, Simon Michaels, CEO of HW Fisher Business Solutions outlines what you can do…

15th July 2020

Covid-19 – Time to buy or sell?

The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly affected corporate buy and sell activity worldwide, with the first quarter of 2020 cited as being down 25% on 2019…

15th July 2020

Post-lockdown divorce – why you need an expert

The Covid-19 pandemic has been a difficult time for many people, with the monotony of working from home, the anxieties and frustrations of childcare and…

8th July 2020

The Chancellor’s Summer Statement – initial reaction from HW Fisher

VAT should be reduced for the hospitality sector for a minimum of two years – January isn’t enough time to create long term certainty Our…

30th June 2020

Managing a responsible recovery

2020 marked the beginning of what the UN called the decade of delivery, the 10 years where governments, institutions and individuals would work with intent…

25th June 2020

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Flexible Furlough

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) will enter its second phase on 1 July. From this date, it will be possible to “flexibly” furlough employees…

4th June 2020

Guidance for charities on serious incident reporting during Covid-19

The Charity Commission has provided guidance on what trustees need to consider in reporting serious incidents during and linked to the coronavirus pandemic. Having reviewed…

3rd June 2020

Extension of the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme grant

Along with an extension to the assistance for employers in the form of the flexible furlough scheme, the Chancellor has announced a second, if smaller,…

3rd June 2020

Phase 2 of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS): A guide

After weeks of supporting businesses through lockdown, the Government is now assisting employers in easing their employees back into work as the restrictions are relaxed.…

26th May 2020

Covid-19: Exemption for reimbursed home office equipment

It has been confirmed by the Treasury minister that organisations reimbursing staff for equipment purchased that enables them to work from home during the pandemic…

12th May 2020

A Guide to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) [Updated]

Under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, announced on 19 March 2020, the Government has put arrangements in place to provide grants to cover 80% of…

7th May 2020

Helping our clients through Covid-19: Stories of how we have been supporting our clients secure government loans

Financial Support for the Retail Sector Client: Sole trader – designer Loan secured: £200,000 from HSBC through CBILS Approach: Through internal collaboration we were able…

4th May 2020

A guide to the Coronavirus ‘bounce back’ small loan scheme

Originally announced by the Chancellor on 27 April, the Bounce Back Loan Scheme  (BBLS) opened for applications on 4th May. This microloan is to help…

1st May 2020

Temporary VAT relief on PPE

HMRC has announced the temporary relief from VAT of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). With effect from 1 May 2020, supplies of PPE will qualify to…

28th April 2020

Guidance for SMEs: your key questions answered

The government has issued, and in some cases subsequently revised, measures to support SMEs during this time. Here, Simon Michaels and Jonathan Bourne answer some…

22nd April 2020

Support for self-employed individuals: your questions answered

The Government has only recently issued its help package for the self-employed during the impact of Covid-19 and many questions remain outstanding. Our Partners have…

22nd April 2020

Guidance for charities: your key questions answered

In the current circumstances we know a lot of charities are having to change the way they operate to ensure fundraising and funding can continue…

22nd April 2020

Covid-19 Support for Innovative Companies

On 20 April 2020 the Government announced a support package for innovative firms facing financing difficulties due to the coronavirus outbreak. The new package includes:…

21st April 2020

Partnering with clients through Covid-19 – Stories of how we have been supporting and advising clients

Helping the Retail Industry Keep Up-to-Date and Make Well-Informed Decisions for the Future Partner: Ross Fabian Client: European distributor for a sports footwear brand Advising…

20th April 2020

A Guide to the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme

20 April 2020 The Government’s Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) launched officially on 20 April 2020. Originally announced by the Chancellor on 2…

9th April 2020

Covid-19 support for charities – current funding initiatives available

In the current circumstances we know a lot of charities are having to change the way they operate to ensure fundraising and funding can continue.…

9th April 2020

Financial Reporting Implications of Covid-19

The uncertainty surrounding Covid-19 has huge implications on financial reporting. All company directors have a responsibility to prepare financial statements that give a true and…

8th April 2020

How we have been supporting clients through Covid-19

Preparing to Keep a Healthcare Company Afloat in the Absence of Patients Partner: Joel Courts Client: Dental sector Advising on: Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme…

31st March 2020

Claiming a grant under the Covid-19 Self-employment Income Support Scheme – advice for authors

You can use this scheme if you’re self-employed as an individual or in a partnership and have lost income because of coronavirus. You can apply…

31st March 2020

Claiming a grant under the Covid-19 Self-employment Income Support Scheme – advice for actors

You can use this scheme if you’re self-employed as an individual or in a partnership and have lost income because of coronavirus. You can apply…

30th March 2020

Claiming a grant under the Covid-19 Self-employment Income Support Scheme – advice for musicians

You can use this scheme if you’re self-employed as an individual or in a partnership and have lost income because of coronavirus. You can apply…

28th March 2020

Covid-19 guidance webinar series – advice for businesses, the self-employed and charities

Over the past few weeks, the UK Government has announced a host of packages to support individuals and businesses through the impacts felt by the…

27th March 2020

Support for the self-employed – an outline of the new measures

Who is eligible for the support? Despite the Chancellor’s saying that the package for the self-employed provides parity with employees, there are some very material…

26th March 2020

Covid-19 – Advice for Authors

We’re living through unprecedented times; it’s not going to be easy and we are all going to have to work together to get through it.…

25th March 2020

VAT Payments Holiday – Key Points Summarised

On 20 March 2020 the UK Government announced temporary changes to the VAT system, as part of a package of measures in response to the…

23rd March 2020

COVID-19 – Guidance for Business

19th March 2020 The Government has issued COVID-19 guidance for employers and small businesses. The guidance assists employers with issues facing the health and wellbeing…

23rd March 2020

COVID-19 – Government Support for Business Explained

19th March 2020 The Government has issued COVID-19 guidance for employers and small businesses. The guidance assists employers with issues facing the health and wellbeing…

23rd March 2020

A Guide to the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

23rd March 2020 The Government announced in the Budget on 11th March 2020 that Small and Medium sized companies (with turnover up to million) would…