What's New

Nearly a quarter of all logistics companies face potential collapse in the next eight weeks, with 80% needing better access to the Government’s Corona Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) to survive.

The Government has had to react to the health and employment problems caused by the COVID-19 crisis with unprecedented speed and new initiatives seem to have been almost a daily occurrence in recent weeks.

A wide range of trade unions around the world are calling for COVID-19 to be classified as an occupational disease for all affected workers, to guarantee stronger workplace protections and ensure access to compensation.

Trade unions and employer organisations have been asked for their views on a draft Government plan setting out how and when anti-coronavirus restrictions can be relaxed so that more people can return to work.

HM Revenue & Customs has announced a temporary zero rating on supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) under new coronavirus measures, likely to affect businesses and individuals purchasing PPE for protection from infection.

With the Government beginning to indicate that at least some sectors will be encouraged to return to work in the near future, unions and trade organisations have expressed concerns as to how this can be achieved without risk to the workers concerned.

The Government guidance for employers on the Job Retention Scheme has been updated as of 15 April 2020. Eligibility for the Scheme has changed and the key date for eligibility is now 19 March 2020 instead of 28 February 2020.

Driving for Better Business (DfBB), the Government campaign group for work-related road risk, has warned business drivers that speed limits still apply during the coronavirus pandemic, even when roads are far emptier.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) recently alerted hauliers to changes from the French authorities in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Vital routes for supplies will be protected through a coronavirus support package to keep the flow of goods and services running smoothly in and out of the UK, and around the country, throughout the pandemic.