Work TV

EDUCATION & SKILLS - Landmark reforms that will transform post-16 education and training, boost skills and get more people into work, have been published today (21 January) by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson.

The government’s Skills for Jobs White Paper enshrines the Prime Minister’s new Lifetime Skills Guarantee, setting out a blueprint for a post-16 education system that will ensure everyone, no matter where they live or their background, can gain the skills they need to progress in work at any stage of their lives.

The Lifetime Skills Guarantee will offer tens of thousands of adults the opportunity to retrain in later life, helping them to gain in-demand skills and open up further job opportunities. This includes the chance for adults without a full level 3 qualification (A-level equivalent) to gain one from April 2021 for free in a range of sectors including engineering, health and accountancy. Meanwhile, Skills Bootcamps - free, flexible courses of just 12-16 weeks - are giving adults the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and fast-track to an interview with a local employer. A Lifelong Loan Entitlement will also make it easier for adults and young people to study more flexibly, which can be used over their lifetime and for modules of a course.

The measures announced today will put an end to the illusion that a degree is the only route to success and a good job, and that further and technical education is the second-class option. Instead, they will supercharge further and technical education, realigning the whole system around the needs of employers, so that people are trained for the skills gaps that exist now, and in the future, in sectors the economy needs, including construction, digital, clean energy and manufacturing.

Measures include:

• Business groups, including Chambers of Commerce, working alongside colleges to develop tailored skills plans to meet local training needs; supported by a £65 million Strategic Development Fund to put the plans into action and establish new College Business Centres to drive innovation and enhanced collaboration with employers.
• Giving employers a central role in designing almost all technical courses by 2030, to ensure that the education and training people receive is directly linked to the skills needed for real jobs.
• Boosting the quality and uptake of Higher Technical Qualifications - that provide the skills that many employers say they need and that can lead to higher wages – by introducing newly approved qualifications from September 2022 supported by a government-backed brand and quality mark.
• Changing the law so that from 2025 people can access flexible student finance so they can train and retrain throughout their lives, supported by funding in 21/22 to test ways to boost access to more modular and flexible learning.
• Launching a nationwide recruitment campaign to get more talented individuals to teach in further education and investing in high quality professional development including a new Workforce Industry Exchange Programme.

Overhauling the funding and accountability rules, so funding is better targeted at supporting high quality education and training that meets the needs of employers; and introducing new powers to intervene when colleges are failing to deliver good outcomes for the communities they serve.

The drive to place employers at the heart of the skills system comes as the Prime Minister launches a new Build Back Better Business Council. The new group will see business leaders work directly with government to fuel the Covid-19 economic recovery.

Image: Prime Minister Boris Johnson. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

Our Lifetime Skills Guarantee means that everyone will be given the chance to get the skills they need, right from the very start of their career.

In the years ahead, the reforms we have announced today will deliver high quality technical education across the country – and help people retrain and secure better paid jobs.

That way when we have beaten Covid-19 we can put rocket boosters under our recovery and Build Back Better.

Image: Education Secretary Gavin Williamson.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

Our reforms to post-16 education will focus on the skills people and business need for our economy to grow. As we recover from the pandemic, our Lifetime Skills Guarantee will ensure everyone has the confidence and opportunity to gain the skills they need to progress at any stage of their lives.

These reforms are at the heart of our plans to build back better, ensuring all technical education and training is based on what employers want and need, whilst providing individuals with the training they need to get a well-paid and secure job, no matter where they live, and in the sectors that are critical to our future economic success.

Image: BCC Director General Adam Marshall.

BCC Director General Adam Marshall said:

We welcome these ambitious plans to put the skills needs of businesses at the heart of the further education system. As local business leaders look to rebuild their firms and communities in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, it is essential to ensure that the right skills and training provision is in place to support growth.

Chambers of Commerce can play a leading role in developing local skills plans that reflect the needs of employers in their areas, working closely with colleges, councils and other partners.

Together, we can increase the focus on skills for the workplace - the digital, technical and broader skills that help businesses grow, succeed and create good jobs.  

We look forward to working with the Department for Education, training providers, businesses and other stakeholders across the FE sector to further develop these proposals, making sure more people can train and retrain for new and emerging jobs in their local communities.

Image: David Hughes, Chief Executive of Association of Colleges.

Chief Executive of Association of Colleges, David Hughes said:

This is an ambitious package of measures which can deliver a significant shift in how we support the lifelong education and skills needs of more than half the population and ensure that employers have the skilled people they need. With funding over the coming years to match the welcome policy shifts, this should rebalance the education and skills system to make it work for everyone.

I’m delighted that this puts skills at the heart of the pandemic build back, and recognises the vital role that colleges and further education will play in levelling up for people and places whilst tackling longstanding concerns about stagnating productivity. Colleges have shown throughout the pandemic an unerring focus on the students, employers and communities they serve – this package shows that the government trusts them to deliver an ambitious and much-needed boost to skills which are vital for our changing economy and labour markets.

Higher education will continue to play a vital role in the education system, but recent figures show only 66% of working-age graduates are in high skilled employment. Furthermore, many of the skills that employers are demanding require intermediate or Higher Technical Qualifications – but only 4% of young people achieve a qualification at higher technical level by the age of 25 compared to the 33% who get a degree or above. Evidence also shows these qualifications can lead to jobs with higher wages.

The measures outlined today form part of the government’s Plan for Jobs which is protecting, supporting and creating jobs across the country and will help everyone to benefit from the opportunities available to them.

They will build on the significant action already underway to transform the post-16 landscape, as we level up and boost the nation’s skills through the new Lifetime Skills Guarantee. This includes rolling out pioneering new T Level qualifications, establishing a network of Institutes of Technology and continuing to work with businesses to improve the quality of apprenticeships and traineeships so employers and individuals can access the skills they need to succeed.

The measures outlined today form part of the government’s Plan for Jobs which is protecting, supporting and creating jobs across the country and will help everyone to benefit from the opportunities available to them.

They will build on the significant action already underway to transform the post-16 landscape, as we level up and boost the nation’s skills through the new Lifetime Skills Guarantee. This includes rolling out pioneering new T Level qualifications, establishing a network of Institutes of Technology and continuing to work with businesses to improve the quality of apprenticeships and traineeships so employers and individuals can access the skills they need to succeed.

To coincide with the publication of the White Paper, the government has published its interim response to the review of Post-18 Education and Funding. The interim response details immediate plans to rebalance technical and academic education and future reforms with the higher education Teaching Grant. The final conclusion to the Post-18 review will be set out at the next Comprehensive Spending Review.

The government is also launching its consultation on post-qualification admissions, which could see students receive and accept university offers after they have achieved their A level grades. The consultation aims to ensure a fairer higher education admissions system that provides a twenty-first century offer for all students.

The Independent Review of the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework, led by Dame Shirley Pearce, has also been published today alongside the government’s response which sets out an ambition to raise quality in higher education.

So that learners have access to high quality buildings and facilities as well as world class education and training the government is investing £1.5 billion in further education colleges. Following an initial £200 million investment in September 2020, so colleges could undertake immediate remedial work, the next phase of the FE Capital Transformation Fund has been launched today. Further education colleges across the country are invited to bid for funding to upgrade buildings and campuses.

Image: Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive, BAE Systems.

Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive, BAE Systems

BAE Systems recognises the vital role that the FE system plays to meet the skills needs of employers. We recently made a commitment to recruit a record number of up to 850 new apprentices this year, over 75% of whom will be working in the North of England. This will help us to meet our future skills requirements and we also continue to invest in the upskilling of our existing workforce, typically spending over £100m each year in the UK on education and skills.

We very much support the aims of the Government’s White Paper and its commitment to place employers at the heart of the reformed system, at both national and local levels. Our team has worked closely with DfE on the development of the new apprenticeship standards and already enjoys strong relationships with local FE providers in the delivery of our training. We look forward to continuing our partnership at national and local levels with the DfE and FE providers to help meet our and the country’s future skills needs.

Image: John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager, Amazon.

John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager, Amazon, said:

We welcome the steps the government is taking to boost further education skills development. We share their bold ambition and are committed to play our part in transforming the further education landscape across all regions of the UK. We continue to create new jobs across the country and offer opportunities to help our people develop new skills, including Career Choice, which provides funding of up to £8,000 for employees to pursue qualifications and training in those high-demand fields, even if that results in a career outside of Amazon. We also provide opportunities for people of all ages with apprenticeships and university bursaries, as well as computer science and engineering resources through our Amazon Future Engineer programme. We look forward to working with government, industry partners and communities across the UK as we continue to support the further education and skills agenda.

Image: Liv Garfield, Severn Trent Chief Executive.

Liv Garfield, Severn Trent Chief Executive, said:

Supporting skills and job creation has never been more important which is why I welcome these new measures that will bring closer collaboration between employers, education professionals and skills providers.

It’s critical we all work together to offer a variety of different skills and employment opportunities that are accessible to everyone within the communities in which we live and work. At Severn Trent we’re proud to offer opportunities and learning for people at every stage of their careers.

Simon Murphy, CEO at Battersea Power Station Development Company (BPSDC) said:

Battersea Power Station welcomes the Government’s ambition to transform post-16 education and training. By allowing employers to play a more prominent role in designing technical courses, the UK’s workforce will be better equipped to fill the vacancies available.

As a project which has successfully created 700 construction jobs and apprenticeships for members of the local community so far, and will create over 20,000 new jobs by the time the development is complete, we believe today’s announcement will allow us to ensure more people have the skills and training needed to succeed at Battersea Power Station.

Image: Steve Murrells, Chief Executive of the Co-op.

Steve Murrells, Chief Executive of the Co-op, said:

We welcome the reforms to post-16 education. As a champion of social mobility, the Co-op wants to see that all young people have a fair and equal chance, irrespective of where they live or their background, to develop vocational skills and enable them to unlock and reach their potential in later life.

The challenges facing the economic recovery are huge, however a truly collaborative approach between businesses that can make a difference to young people’s education and skills, local education providers and the government is the way forward to help rebuild and grow the economy.

As an industry leader in providing apprenticeships to 1,200 colleagues across the Co-op Group, we’ve seen the energy, enthusiasm and new ways of thinking that apprentices bring to the Co-op and their contributions help us achieve a better way of doing business.

Image: Matthew Fell, Chief UK Policy Director.

Matthew Fell, Chief UK Policy Director, said:

The Skills for Jobs White Paper affirms the importance of collaboration between businesses and colleges for improving people’s career prospects.

Many businesses and education providers work closely together already and putting employers at the heart of new qualifications right across England will build on the success of these local partnerships. It will ensure courses remain in lockstep with industry needs and give learners confidence they are gaining skills that lead to jobs.

New technologies mean that nine in ten employees will need to learn new skills by 2030. Government commitment to delivering the flexible loan entitlement and boosting access to modular learning is hugely welcome and will support more adults into training. This should be backed up by turning the Apprenticeship Levy into a flexible skills levy at Budget.

We look forward to engaging with Government on any future consultation around the Augar review to ensure our world-class universities can continue to support the jobs, skills and innovation key for firms to thrive.

Image: Nick Mackenzie, CEO at Greene King.

Nick Mackenzie, CEO at Greene King, said:

For the last decade, we have invested heavily in our apprenticeship programme so, regardless of their skills, our team members can train and learn while they build a successful career with us. We also use our programme to help plug the skills gaps in our industry so we recognise there is a need to rebalance technical and academic education. Therefore, we welcome the news that employers will be at the heart of the new system and look forward to being part of the process as we look to support the government’s aim to transform post-16 education and training.

Image: Andy Wales, Chief Digital Impact and Sustainability Office.

Andy Wales, Chief Digital Impact and Sustainability Officer, said:

We welcome these proposed reforms to post-16 education and training. We’re pleased in particular to see a real focus on boosting digital skills given the rapidly changing needs employers have in a competitive world.

BT is one of the UK’s largest private sector employers and has recruited more than 1,600 apprentices and graduates over the past 24 months. As part of our BT Skills for Tomorrow programme, which aims to help improve digital skills for 10 million people across the UK by 2025, we invest in initiatives to support young jobseekers including our Work Ready training scheme, part of the broader Movement to Work, and we support the new Fast Futures 12 week course to help young people develop practical business skills.

Leo Quinn, CEO of Balfour Beatty and founder of The 5% Club, a movement of employers committed to using earn and learn to build and develop the UK’s workforce, while tackling youth unemployment, said:

The 5% Club and its members welcome this ambitious package of reforms, which will ensure that in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, the UK is laser-focused on delivering the training and skills needed to drive future growth, innovation and shared prosperity.

These measures will come as a major boost to businesses across the whole country, and to the many people needing to reskill in order to re-enter employment. In the construction and infrastructure industry it is vital to help us Build Back Better and turbocharge the economy across the whole of the UK.

ABC Comment, have your say below:

STORM CHRISTOPH – Our best wishes go to all those struggling with storm waters and high winds.

Salman Haqqi, personal finance expert at money.co.uk, said: “If your home has been hit by flood damage you should speak to your insurer as soon as possible. They may need you to take emergency steps to minimise the impact of the water, until they can process your claim and sort proper repairs. 

“Take photos and videos of the damage and note down the time it happened so the insurer can tally this up with weather reports. When you make your claim submit ‘before’ photos and videos, if you have them, proving the state of your property before the flood hit.

“It’s the buildings insurance part of your policy that will pay out for structural damage so check your policy to make sure you have the right sort of coverage. If you’re a homeowner who has contents-only cover, the damaged items in the home should be covered but any damage to the property itself may not be included.

“If you're a tenant, speak to your landlord who will need to make a claim on their insurance or cover the cost. Most home insurance policies offer little in the way of cover for property outside your home, such as the garden or driveway, although it’s always worth checking your documents and speaking to your provider.”  

https://www.money.co.uk/home-insurance/flood-insurance.htm

ABC Comment, have your say below:

talkRadio - ABC Founder was interviewd by Penny Smith on TalkRadio on Sunday 17th January 2021.

Penelope Jane Smith is an English television presenter, newsreader and radio presenter. She has presented for Sky News, GMTV, Classic FM, BBC Radio London, and is the current presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Talkradio. 

Simon talked about the Universal Credit uplift cancellation and the Commons debate Labour have called in a bid to stop the uplift from being reversed in April. 

Image: Penny Smith, TalkRadio Weekend Breakfast presenter is seen here with Comedian with Ricky Gervais.

ABC Comment, have your say below:

OFFICE HOURS - From Monday 18th January, jobcentre opening hours will be 10am to 2pm. This temporary change means we can continue providing safe, essential services for those who need to come into the jobcentre and who are unable to interact with us on the phone or digitally. The opening hours of our phone lines remain as they were. In addition, the Relay UK service and the Video relay service are both still available.

If we need to make an appointment with someone, this will be by the phone. Jobcentre Plus will leave a message in your journal before they call you.

You will be required to wear a face covering when entering a jobcentre, unless you are in an exempt category.

ABC Comment, have your say below:

UNIVERSAL CREDIT - Red Wall Tories have urged the Chancellor to keep the temporary uplift until lockdown ends.

On Monday Labour plans to force a Commons vote to make the boost permanent.

39% of the 5.7million Universal Credit recipients are in work.

50 Conservative MPs from Red Wall seats signed a letter to the Chancellor demanding the temporary uplift to the lifeline benefit stays in place until lockdown ends. Labour wants the uplift to be permanent. 

The Tories froze benefits for four years but cynically ended the freeze just before the General Election. The extra £20 was not a gift, it just restored what had been taken away. 

When banks are allowed to create a nation's money supply, we all end up paying higher taxes. This is because the proceeds from creating new money go to the banks rather than the taxpayer and because taxpayers end up paying the cost of financial crises caused by the banks. Ordinary workers in the UK pay about 73% of all the taxes. 

This table shows how much employers deduct from employees’ pay.

UK Workers pay a lot for National Insurance so it seems unfair that when they come to claim they should get so little in return.

ABC Comment, have your say below: 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – AmeriCorps, the federal agency for service and volunteering, today announced more than $23.6 million in funding to support senior volunteer service. The AmeriCorps Seniors grants will both strengthen existing programs and establish new areas of service in more than 150 communities across the nation for the AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP program.

The funding announced today will support an estimated 51,300 AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers at RSVP programs in 45 states, leveraging the knowledge and experience of thousands of older Americans across the country. A complete list of organizations funded in the FY2021 RSVP Competition can be found here.

“Harnessing the experience, passion, and leadership of Americans age 55 and older, AmeriCorps Seniors proves that it is never too late to make a difference,” said Deborah Cox-Roush, director of AmeriCorps Seniors. “As our nation faces the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP grantees are responding to their communities’ needs in creative and impactful ways. The grants announced today will ensure that older Americans have the resources and opportunities to serve for years to come.”  

AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers funded through these grants will tackle some of our nation’s most pressing issues by putting their lifetime of skills and talents to use through volunteer service, while developing new ones. Service activities for RSVP projects will include digital mentorship and tutoring, elder care and companion services, as well as grocery delivery for elderly and immunocompromised neighbors. These projects are a small sample of RSVP’s volunteer activities, which include establishing neighborhood watches, connecting veterans to resources, and aiding victims of natural disasters.  

This year’s grant competition prioritized critical national issues such as advancing racial equity and removing structural racial inequities, as well as providing aid to communities throughout the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grantees from counties and municipalities previously unserved by RSVP also received priority consideration in the competition.

Throughout the challenges of 2020, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers persisted, supporting communities as they respond and recover from the impact of COVID-19. These dedicated volunteers have helped combat food insecurity, helped students transition to online schooling, connected veterans to jobs and benefits, and responded to the community need created by the pandemic. AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers continue to respond creatively to the challenges presented by COVID-19, adapting their service models to better serve their communities while staying safe. These new COVID-safe service initiatives include sewing masks for first responders, making daily wellness calls to homebound senior citizens, and conducting contact tracing.

Today, AmeriCorps Seniors engages approximately 195,000 older Americans in service at 29,800 locations across the United States and territories through its Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion, and RSVP programs. Established in 1971, RSVP engages Americans age 55 and older in service, responding to our nation’s most pressing challenges.

AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers stay healthy and active through service, improving their own lives as they improve the lives of others. A growing body of research affirms the numerous mental and physical health benefits of volunteerism, including lower mortality rates, decreased rates of depression, and increased strength and energy. Findings from a recent agency-sponsored study show that AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serving with the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs report feeling less depressed and isolated, and experience stable or improved health scores.   

ABC Comment, have your say below:

DWP UPDATE - On 4 January 2021, the Prime Minister announced that the government will be introducing new national COVID-19 measures in England to protect the NHS and they say, save lives.

This is what the DWP have to say:

This means from 5 January 2021 until further notice, the following updated jobcentre guidance will apply to customers in England and will ensure essential support is provided whilst keeping colleagues and customers safe.

Jobcentres will remain open, as they have throughout this pandemic, to provide essential services and support to those who we cannot help in any other way.

Jobcentres will be open from 10am to 2pm to help keep our colleagues and customers as safe as possible in the latest phase of this pandemic. Members of the public entering a jobcentre, unless exempt, will be required to wear a face covering.

We will ensure that this support continues to be delivered in line with the latest government and PHE guidance – such as maintaining social distancing and rigorous cleaning regimes - keeping our colleagues and customers safe.

Work Coaches will be empowered to support customers through the best and most appropriate channels - whether online, by phone, or in person - with jobcentres remaining open to help those who need extra support and are unable to interact with us on the phone or digitally.

Our Work Coaches will continue to deliver employment support programmes such as the Job Entry Targeted Support (JETs) scheme, by phone or through online channels.

Face-to-face assessments for disability benefits remain suspended.

If you think you might be entitled to a health and disability benefit, you should contact us as soon as possible to make a claim in the usual way.

For existing customers, payments will continue as normal. Anyone who has a change in their needs should contact us immediately so we can ensure they are receiving the correct level of support.

On 3 November 2020, we also confirmed that the suspension of the Minimum Income Floor for self-employed customers claiming Universal Credit in England, Scotland, and Wales has been extended to the end of April 2021. This means that self-employed customers on Universal Credit will receive a payment that reflects their earnings at this difficult time.

For Scotland:

On 4 January 2021, the Scottish Government announced they are moving to level five - the highest of their COVID tiered system. The jobcentre guidance in place for England above will therefore also apply to jobcentres and customers in Scotland.

For Wales:

On 28 December 2020, Wales moved into alert level four – the highest of their COVID tiered system. The jobcentre guidance in place for England above will therefore also apply to jobcentres and customers in Wales.

For Northern Ireland:

Please contact the Department for Communities for more information on measures introduced in Northern Ireland - 028 9082 9000

ABC Comment, have your say below:

UNIVERSAL CREDIT - Amid the fiasco regarding school meals will be a vote on Monday regarding Universal Credit. 

Labour will force a vote in the House of Commons on Monday demanding that the Government scraps its planned cut to Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits that will see families lose over £1000 a year.

This follows the Prime Minister’s appearance at the Liaison Committee yesterday where he confirmed that he still intends to cut Universal Credit by £20 a week, or £1040 a year, for 6 million families in April. The cut is equivalent to the cost of an average family’s annual electricity, gas and internet bills combined.

Labour has repeatedly called for the Prime Minister to change course and provide certainty to millions of struggling families who face a triple blow of council tax hikes, frozen pay and a cut to Universal Credit.

Child Poverty Action Group have stated that the £20 uplift is essential to ensure “low-income families with children receive the support they need”. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has warned that the cut could see another 200,000 children pushed into poverty.

Jonathan Reynolds MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: 

“Under the Conservatives, families come last. The government’s mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic means Britain is facing one of the worst recessions of any major economy. Boris Johnson’s decision to cut Universal Credit will hit millions of families who are already struggling to get by.

“There cannot be another repeat of the government’s indecision and mismanagement of the free school meals scandal. The government must put families first during this lockdown and act now instead of waiting until the last minute.

“If ministers refuse, Conservative MPs have to opportunity to vote with Labour and give families the support they need to get through this pandemic.”The Opposition Day debate motion, tabled today, is as follows:

 Keir Starmer

Jonathan Reynolds

Anneliese Dodds

Angela Rayner

Bridget Philipson

Mr Nicholas Brown

Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit

That this House believes that the Government should stop the planned cut in Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit in April and give certainty today to the six million families for whom it is worth an extra £1,000 a year.

ABC Comment, have your say below:

GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE - This might help people struggling to pay basic bills.

For those worried about paying utility bills or repaying credit cards, loans or mortgages due to the impact of coronavirus, the below guidance sets out the steps you can take to get the support you need.

In the first instance, people struggling to pay essential bills are encouraged to:

• contact your provider: if you think you might have a problem paying a bill, contact your provider as early as possible to explain, and receive help with paying your bills
• ask for help if you need it: if you are struggling with your bills or credit commitments, free advice is available. coronavirus has affected the entire nation and many of us need support now, even if we never have before
• explore payment options: if you are struggling with bills, it is better to agree a payment plan with your provider and keep making regular instalments, rather than cancelling direct debits and letting debt build

Business Minister Paul Scully said:

We know it is a particularly difficult time for households across the UK, with many struggling to keep up with bills, loan payments and mortgages due to the impact of COVID-19.

The government, regulators and industry acted quickly in March to assist as many people as possible, with measures including mortgage holidays, and support for energy, water and telecoms customers.

I would urge those who are struggling to speak with their providers, seek out free advice and explore the payment options open to them.

In response to the impact of coronavirus, the government agreed a raft of measures with providers across a range of sectors to ensure struggling consumers are treated fairly. These agreements cover the following sectors.

Energy

The government has agreed a set of principles with domestic energy suppliers to support consumers impacted by coronavirus.

Energy companies will seek to identify and prioritise customers who may need additional support, taking into account Priority Service Register customers, prepayment meter customers, and customers who are vulnerable to having a cold home.

Based on individual circumstances, firms may offer support such as:

• reassessing, reducing or pausing debt repayment and bill payments for domestic customers in financial distress
• referring customers who are struggling to pay to third party debt advisers such as StepChange and Citizens Advice
• suspending credit meter disconnections

Firms will also support prepayment meter customers directly or indirectly impacted by coronavirus to stay on supply. Based on individual circumstances, support could include:

• extending discretionary/ friendly credit or sending out a pre-loaded top up card
• enabling customers to nominate a trusted third party to be able to pick up discretionary credit sent to a shop on their behalf
• switching smart prepayment meters into credit mode or extending non-disconnection periods (consumers will be made aware any credit will need to be paid back)
• contacting prepayment customers with advice on what to do in the event of self-isolation

Water

The government and Ofwat, the economic regulator of the water sector in England and Wales, remain in close contact with water companies on the water industry’s response to coronavirus. All water companies have measures in place for people who struggle to pay for their water and wastewater services, these include:

• continuing to help customers pay their bills through WaterSure, Social Tariffs and other affordability schemes
• actively offering payment breaks or payment holidays
• adjusting payment plans urgently to help with sudden changes in household finances
• simplifying the processes for customers to get extra assistance
• helping customers get advice on benefits and managing debts, particularly for customers who have not been in financial difficulties before

Telecoms

The government is working closely with telecoms providers to ensure they treat customers who are struggling to pay their bills fairly, and to help them stay connected. Firms are asked to:

• prioritise support for customers who might be struggling to pay their telecoms bills, offer advice on managing telecoms debt and strengthen their work with consumer bodies such as Citizens Advice and other organisations who could help these customers
• offer options to struggling customers, such as a payment plan, a cheaper tariff, or a delay on their payment
• avoid disconnection for struggling customers, treating it only as a last resort

Mortgages

At the start of the pandemic in March, the Financial Conduct Authority published guidance setting out their expectation that firms offer mortgage payment holidays. Mortgage holidays allow customers affected by coronavirus to defer making up to 6 monthly mortgage payments (although interest will still accrue during this period). Eligible customers can apply for these until 31 March 2021.

Alongside this, the FCA and government have been in close contact with mortgage lenders and administrators to make sure they treat consumers fairly during the coronavirus pandemic. Further measures agreed with lenders include:

• providing consumers with options when their payment holiday comes to an end to ensure they continue to get support they need
• not repossessing homes before 31 January 2021, except in exceptional circumstances

For more information on managing your money during and after the coronavirus pandemic, you can also use the Money Advice Service’s Money Navigator Tool.Loans, credit cards overdrafts, motor finance and other forms of credit

The FCA has also stepped in to make sure those having temporary difficulties meeting loan or credit commitments due to coronavirus can request payment deferrals of up to 6 months in total, on:

• a personal loan, credit card, store card or catalogue credit product
• motor finance or leasing payments
• buy-now-pay-later agreements
• rent-to-own agreements
• pawnbroking agreements

If people are having temporary difficulties meeting payments due to coronavirus, they can also request a payment deferral on a high-cost short-term credit loan for at least 1 month.

Consumers have until 31 March 2021 to apply for an initial or further payment deferral. After that date, they will be able to extend existing deferrals to 31 July 2021, provided the extensions cover consecutive payments, and subject to the maximum 6 allowed.

Consumers who have already had 6 months of payment deferrals or who are receiving tailored support will not be eligible for a further payment deferral. Instead, firms will provide tailored support appropriate to the customers circumstances. This may include the option to defer further payments.

Consumers who are struggling with the cost of their overdrafts as a result of coronavirus will be able to request support which reflects their individual circumstances, as set out in the FCA’s tailored support guidance published in September 2020. This could include reducing or waiving interest.

The FCA has full information on eligibility.

For more information on managing your money during and after the coronavirus pandemic, you can also use the Money Advice Service’s Money Navigator Tool.

Insurance

The FCA has agreed a range of options that insurers may consider appropriate to help customers, including:

reviewing cover based on risk/needs to reduce premiums

waiving administration and cancellation fees

partly refunding premium payments where the whole amount has been paid up front

providing tailored support appropriate to the customers circumstances

Renting

The government has acted to protect renters during the pandemic by suspending eviction proceedings for 6 months, to 20 September, as well as changing the law to extend the notice period landlords must give their tenants to 6 months, except in the most serious cases, until at least the end of March 2021.

Alongside this, the government has provided a comprehensive package of support to help prevent people getting into financial hardship or rent arrears as a result of coronavirus:

• we have quickly and effectively put in place £9.3 billion of additional support through the welfare system this year
• this includes an extra £1 billion to increase Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates so that they cover the lowest 30% of market rents. This will remain in place until the end of March 2021
• for those renters who require additional support, there is an existing £180 million of government funding for Discretionary Housing Payments made available this year, an increase of £40 million from last year and which is for councils to distribute to support renters with housing costs

Where tenants are struggling to pay their rent, they should speak to their landlord at the earliest opportunity to allow both parties to agree a workable way forward. They may also wish to seek advice from specialist providers such as:

Shelter

Citizens Advice

The Money Advice Service

Council tax

Each local authority has its own Local Council Tax Support (LCTS) scheme which provides reductions in council tax for low-income residents. There may also be other support available, including through the range of discounts and exemptions that can be applied to council tax. Further detail is available in the Plain English Guide to Council Tax.

General guidance and further advice

For those that are still worried about their finances, or who would like more information on how to best manage their budget, the government-backed Money Navigator Tool provides guidance tailored to individual needs, including directing individuals to further advice where appropriate, such as free debt advice.

Consumers that are worried about debts or have already missed payments should consider accessing free and independent debt advice directly. The government sponsored Money Advice Service (part of the Money & Pensions Service) can help you find support via The Debt Advice Locator.

Further independent debt advice for those who can’t keep up with payments can be found from the below trusted organisations:

Citizen’s Advice (Tel: 03444 111 444)

National Debtline (Tel: 0808 808 4000)

Step Change (Tel: 0800 138 1111)

ABC Comment, have your say below:

AMERICAN FEMALE ENTREPENURES - SBA has announced Ascent, an interactive digital platform packed with resources women business owners need to set, and achieve, their business goals. Ascent is designed for the “missing middle” — growth-oriented women entrepreneurs who are beyond the start-up phase and already generating revenue yet looking to grow and scale. Most learning resources for business owners focus on either start-ups or mature businesses. Ascent is here to change that!

During these challenging times, SBA’s Ascent can also help you elevate your business with research-backed tips and strategies. Within Ascent, you can examine both internal (strengths and weaknesses) and external factors (opportunities and threats) that may have arisen because of COVID-19 to help you set up a comprehensive recovery strategy. And Ascent is a resource you can turn to again and again, as your business grows and your needs change.

Join the Ascent today at Ascent.SBA.gov

Ascent was created through a joint initiative between the White House, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the U.S. Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Bringing these agencies together provides Ascent users with unique access to a wealth of knowledge and expertise not found anywhere else.

Image: US Female Entrepenures.

ABC Comment, have your say below: