We are currently living through unprecedented times and APVA are here to support you whatever stage of your business journey you are at.
We will be keeping this page regularly updated with resources to support you, where you can find out more about the financial support available to small businesses and the work we are doing to connect with key business leaders and organisations to lobby for more support on your behalf.
Please reach out if you need support via email: hello@apva.org.uk or by using our chat function on this page.
Resources to support you and your business
Our Thrive Summit took place on Wednesday 25 March, bringing together some fabulous guest speakers talking on a whole range of topics from marketing, to managing your cashflow, to planning ahead and seeking opportunities to grow.
Sign up for FREE below and access all the recordings from the summit:
FREE Downloads that will help you review your business, find your niche and ensure that you are in the best place to move forward once all of this is over:
Low Cost Training to Build Your Business
We have reduced the cost of our CPD Accredited VA Foundation Course to just £199 (was £497) so that you can use this time to get your business setup the right way, find your ideal clients and grow your confidence.
Offers expires at 5pm on Friday 10 April.
Financial Support
You can read the official government support information here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses
IPSE have been working with the Government to support small businesses. They have lots of information including FREE webinars discussing the support available to you here: https://www.ipse.co.uk/coronavirus-hub.html
The FSB have also been working with the Government, alongside their business advice they have also put together some information on supporting your mental health: https://www.fsb.org.uk/campaign/covid19.html
What are APVA doing?
We have written to the following people to request answers to your key questions and see what additional support may be available to VA business owners at this time.
- IPSE
- FSB
- Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer
- Alok Sharma, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
- Dr Thérèse Coffey, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Here is a copy of the letter we have sent.
We are currently exploring other ways we can work with key business organisations to support you further.
FSB Response
Following our letter we have received the following response from the FSB, we hope that this will answer some of our questions, but please do continue to contact us with further questions and we will put these to the right people so that you can continue to get support during this difficult time.
FSB answers to specific questions
I’ve been in business for less than 2 years but did submit a tax return in 2018/19 am I eligible for a grant?
Yes, but check the other eligibility criteria too at: Self-employment Income Support Scheme
If I haven’t seen a drop in income now, but have clients who will reduce my hours post June 2020 due to the current lockdown can I still claim the grant?
Yes, but again check using the link above for other eligibility criteria too, including ‘have lost trading/partnership trading profits due to COVID-19’.
I am setup as a limited company and have a seen a drastic drop in my clients, however I still need to work with the clients I have, I take a very small salary and pay myself via dividends. Can I furlough myself to receive 80% of my salary and continue to work for the clients I have?
It is not possible to furlough oneself and still continue to work. Company directors that pay themselves through dividends cannot claim under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). Directors of their own company who are paid a salary through their company under PAYE may be eligible to apply for loss of PAYE salary via their company due to the coronavirus epidemic under the CJRS.
I’m not eligible for a business loan because I work from home, are there any other options for me to access funding?
In addition to income support, FSB has succeeded in securing a range of other coronavirus-related support measures for small businesses and the self-employed – from business rates, cash grants, and interest/fee-free loans to help with VAT deferrals and mortgage/rent payments. We continue to push for these measures to be as generous as possible, open to as many businesses as possible, and delivered as fast as possible. We are constantly updating our website to reflect any changes or additional clarity related to these initiatives, available at: www.fsb.org.uk/coronavirus.
You can view the full response emails from the FSB by clicking on the links below: