Warrington Borough Council has enhanced its business relief tool to help ensure many more can get support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recognising that there are now more than five million self-employed people in the UK, accounting for over 15% of the workforce, the council has improved the online tool to help the self-employed and new start-ups.
Anyone currently self-employed, or that has started a new business, or sought to start one prior to the COVID19 pandemic, is encouraged to make themselves known through the simple form, in order to gain advice, support, and ascertain if they are eligible for grants.
Warrington Borough Council Leader, Cllr Russ Bowden, said: “We recognise start-ups and the self-employed are in a very precarious position right now, especially if they need to self-isolate. The improvements we’ve made to our online relief tool are about connecting with you and ensuring you can get the support you need.”
Cllr Tom Jennings, Chair of the Supporting the Local Economy Committee, said: “Being self-employed myself, I understand the uncertainty you face and I’m determined to ensure we do all we can to assist you. This enhancement helps ensure everyone in our business community can get the support they’re entitled to and deserve, so long as they make themselves known to us.”
The council’s COVID19 business relief tool, set up to enable the council to connect with businesses across the borough, can be found at warrington.gov.uk/coronavirusgrant
If you’re self-employed and are one of the estimated 600,000 who haven’t filed their 2018/19 tax return yet, you have until 23 April to do so or you won’t be eligible for the Government’s ‘self-employed income support’ scheme, subject to further criteria.
File your tax return at gov.uk/log-in-file-self-assessment-tax-return
Whether you are self-employed, own a business or were planning to before the Coronavirus outbreak, you can get a range of help by visiting:
– warrington.gov.uk/coronavirusgrant
For the latest information on coronavirus in Warrington, please visit warrington.gov.uk/coronavirus
