INDEX: COVID-19 Hub

New: WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation) - COVID-19 Policy Tracker

AOP Advice and Support

How the AOP are providing support to members through this crisis

• AOP support for members

General Government Advice & Business Support

The Chancellor announced the Government’s plans to support the economy going into the winter. Measures announced include:

A new Jobs Support Scheme

• The Government will top up the wages of those in work by up to two thirds of their salary, starting in November.
• The scheme will target SMEs but will also be eligible to those large firms which have seen a loss in turnover.
• The scheme will be open to workers across the UK, even if they have not made use of the furlough.

An extension to the existing self-employed grant.

Businesses which have taken out bounce back loans will be given more time and greater flexibility to repay in a new “Pay As You Grow” scheme.

Businesses will be able to apply for all Government loan schemes until the end of the year.

The Government will allow business to defer VAT payments and will freeze the new 5% VAT rate for businesses in the hospitality and tourism sectors until March 2021.

Other official advice and legislation from government:

• Welsh & Scottish Government response packages for creative industries
• Top- up to local business grant funds scheme
• Government webinars to support your business
• Bounce back loans for small business
• CJRS: A Step-by-Step guide for employers
• Government announce changes to CBILS & Expansions
• Details of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme & How to Claim
• Apply for the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme
• Self-employed Income Support Scheme
• Extra protection for businesses with ban on evictions
• Guidance on relaxed rules to help businesses
• EU Guidance on coronavirus
• Budget 2020 Support
• Employers & Businesses guidance
• Business & Workers guidance
• Guidance for government digital publishing and services
• Apply for the coronavirus Future Fund
• Billion pound support package for innovative firms hit by coronavirus

Public Health Guidance

Official guidance from Public Health England

• Social Distancing
• Stay at home Guidance

AOP Associate Member Updates

Updates regarding COVID-19 & the supply chain

• Google - GNI Digital Growth Programme - Free interactive workshops and in-depth labs in multiple European languages, equip yourself with the tools to help grow your digital publishing business.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Ways to maintain your health and happiness

• NABS: How to support your wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak

Legal Advice

Legal guidance on responding to the COVID-19 outbreak

• Lewis Silkin COVID-19 hub

For more information, please contact pippa.bedford@ukaop.org