The Government has temporarily abolished business rates for thousands of small firms as part of emergency measures to deal with the economic fallout from the coronavirus.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a £30bn stimulus package that includes £12bn specifically targeted at mitigating the virus' impact.

Retail, leisure and hospitality companies' with a rateable value of less than £51,000 will not pay any business rates this year. These sectors are expected to be among the worst affected as people cut back on travel and stay home during the coronavirus outbreak.

Firms in England will not have to pay any business rates on nearly half of all commercial properties, the chancellor said, while a discount that pubs receive on their rates will increase from £1,000 to £5,000.
Cash grants of up to £3,000 will be made available to 700,000 of the smallest firms that are exempt from business rates. Companies with less than 250 staff will also receive funding totalling up to £2bn to cover the cost of sick pay during the outbreak.

Mr Sunak announced statutory sick pay of £94.25 per week will be available for all of those advised to self isolate during the outbreak, even if they do not have symptoms. This will not extend to zero hours workers or those who are self employed.
For the self-employed not eligible for SSP, contributory Employment and Support Allowance will be payable, at a rate of £73.10 a week if you are over 25, for eligible people affected by coronavirus or self-isolating in line with advice from day one of sickness, rather than day eight.
For more information about coronavirus government statutory sick pay, go to the Department for Work & Pensions website.

Oldham council latest figures (Thursday 12th March 3pm) show a total of five people been diagnosed in the borough. Currently, businesses are trading quite normally, however if numbers increase business could be hit. 

At Cousins Estate Agents we are conducting viewings as normal & sales are being agreed. Lets hope this continues.

Call Cousins on 0161 681 2371