Our update today covers the following: 

• Update on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme 
• Annual Accounts :  3 month filing extension
• Whittaker’s Distillery
• Working from home
• Latest from the IOD

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme 

We now have a template letter that can be adapted for the individual communication which has been provided by our payroll software providers, BrightPay. See our Coronavirus Update 5. You may want to seek further specialist advice before using the letter as there are a number of Employment Law considerations associated with the furloughing process. However, hopefully this will help get you started. A Word copy of the letter is also available on request - just ask.

Annual Accounts - 3 month filing extension 

Businesses will be given an additional 3 months to file accounts with Companies House to help companies avoid penalties as they deal with the impact of COVID-19. More information can be found via this link. Note the extension is not automatic - it is still necessary to apply online. Companies that have already extended their filing deadline or shortened their accounting reference period may not be eligible for an extension.

Whittaker's Distillery 

A story about one of our clients ..

In Nidderdale (near Harrogate) the local distillery Whittaker’s has been able to join in the fight against Covid19 by supplying ethanol to the Intensive Care Unit at Bradford Royal Infirmary. Consultant Anaesthetist Michael McCrooe contacted Whittaker’s Distillery for the supply of ethanol to sterilise respiratory masks.  Of course Whittaker’s were happy to help and Michael has told them he will need more in the weeks and months to come.  As a result of this and in view the current national shortage of ethanol, Whittaker’s decided to put their equipment to good use and make their own ethanol.  Toby Whittaker (pictured) contacted Ian Fozard at Roosters Brewery in Harrogate and they are now collaborating using redundant beer supplies for the production of ethanol to supply Bradford’s Intensive Care Unit free of charge.  40 barrels will be arriving this week which will fill Whittaker’s 1,000 litre spirits still (Esmerelda).  Their 21 plate rectification column will be used to extract the alcohol from the beer.  Whittaker’s will be happy to supply other intensive care units and they will also turn their attention to making handwash which will also be available to distribute to local hospitals and other essential venues free of charge.

You can find out more about Whittaker’s Distillery by clicking here. 

Working from home 

Please click here to read Richard Maybury’s latest blog which contains details of some useful resources available to support those working from home (including some freely available Linked In training material). 

Institute of Directors blog

You can follow this link to read an interesting blog from the IOD which also raises continuing concerns about the need for more support for company owner directors - an area we are keeping a very close eye on. 

The IOD is also another good reference point to access useful information about COVID19.