Coronavirus Update | 28 April 2020

Hello, this is the ECA coronavirus update for Tuesday, 28th of April.

A new ‘Bounce Back’ Loans scheme was announced by the Chancellor yesterday afternoon. The new scheme, open to applications from Monday 4th of May, will allow small businesses to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000.

The government has said it will provide lenders with a 100% guarantee for the loan and will pay any fees and interest for the first 12 months.

Coronavirus testing is now freely available via a new online system to essential workers with symptoms and people who live with essential workers and have symptoms.

Those using the Government’s new online portal can apply for an appointment at one of over 30 drive-through testing sites across the country or receive a home testing kit. The government adds that “new test allocations are being made daily”.

The Government has updated guidance for employers, training providers and assessment organisations about changes to apprenticeships due to coronavirus.

This version includes more detail on calculating wages for furloughed apprentices, end-point assessment flexibility, and more.

For more on these developments, visit gov.uk.

For more detail on some of today’s updates, visit ECA’s dedicated coronavirus website, at www.eca.co.uk/coronavirus.

For daily industry updates, in-depth features, recordings of previous webinars, and more, visit www.ecatoday.co.uk.