HMRC and the various Governments and Government bodies of the UK continue to publish updates on COVID-19 related issues. When using a form or publication going forward or contacting HMRC, check you are using the most recent version or up to date way of contact which may have changed due to the pandemic.

• The draft scheme rules and explanatory Notes for the Film & TV Production Restart Scheme have been published;
• A further Treasury Direction in relation to the job retention scheme and job retention bonus has been published;
• Businesses may be able to apply for a Digital Selling Capability Grant being administered by Invest NI;
• The Government has extended support to stop business evictions this year;
• The Kickstart Scheme, an initiative to support 16–24 year olds into work is now available for employers to apply – note that it does not currently apply in Northern Ireland;
• The National Audit Office is calling on the Treasury to launch a coordinated effort to safeguard access to cash during and post the pandemic;
• The UK Government’s Treasury Committee has been discussing tax reforms post COVID;
• A statutory instrument, The Finance Act 2008, Section 135 (Coronavirus) Order 2020, has now been enacted which confirms in law that no interest or penalties should be charged in respect of the Government’s permitted deferrals of tax payments in response to the pandemic;
• The Insolvency Act 1986 (HMRC Debts: Priority on Insolvency) Regulations 2020 has now been finalised and comes into force on 1 December 2020;
• HMRC have updated their guidance on Land Remediation Relief to confirm that staffing costs reimbursed under the job retention scheme will not qualify for relief;
• The Government has set out more measures designed to provide support for tenants; and
• Innovative transport start-ups with a focus on decarbonisation or COVID-19 recovery can bid for a share of over £1 million in Department for Transport funding.