Bulletin Monday 12 October 2020

Prime Minister’s announcement

The Prime Minister has announced a three tier system of restrictions to control the spread of the virus.

• The medium tier will be areas where the current national rules apply
• High risk areas include most of the areas with local restrictions currently, to reduce the transmission of the virus indoors
• Very high risk areas are those where transmission is rising rapidly and the NHS could be put under great pressure

Bolton Council is waiting for further information about the tier in which the borough will be placed and the restrictions that will apply. All current restrictions still apply.

£500 payment available for self-isolating Bolton residents on low incomes

Bolton residents, who are self-isolating due to COVID-19, may be able to claim a £500 support payment if they cannot work and face a loss of income.

Job Support Scheme expanded to firms required to close due to Coronavirus Restrictions

The government has announced that the Job Support Scheme (JSS) will be expanded to protect jobs and support businesses required to close their doors as a result of coronavirus restrictions.

Under the expansion, firms whose premises are legally required to shut for some period during the winter, as part of local or national restrictions, will receive grants to pay the wages of staff who cannot work.

The government will support eligible businesses by paying two thirds of each employees’ salary (or 67%), up to a maximum of £2100 a month.

Bolton businesses benefit from new Covid-19 Local Restriction Support Grant

Bolton businesses, that were closed because of the restrictions that were in place in the borough can apply for the Covid-19 Local Restriction Support Grant.

The businesses can apply for the grant for the period 8 September to 1 October, when extra restrictions were in place across the borough.

The grant aims to help those businesses hardest hit by the local Covid-19 restrictions such as cafes, bars and restaurants.

Eligible businesses must apply via the online application form which is available at www.businessbolton.org/localrestrictionsgrant

Any enquiries should be emailed to businessbolton@bolton.gov.uk

Kickstart Scheme to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds

The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to create new job placements for 16 to 24 year olds, on Universal Credit, who are at risk of long term unemployment. Employers of all sizes can apply for funding which covers:

• 100% of the National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months

• associated employer National Insurance contributions

• employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions

Apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant: 29 or less job placements

Apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant: 30 or more job placements

Local Restrictions Map

This handy interactive map shows what local restrictions apply in which areas. (Link is no longer live).

Local restriction FAQs

We have support information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic which is regularly updated.

OBE: Outstanding Book Enthusiast

Congratulations to our former Head of Libraries and Museums, Julie Oldham, on being awarded an OBE

Julie has been recognised in The Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her tireless work as a champion of libraries for more than 40 years.

She retired in April, has been awarded an OBE for ‘services to public libraries’, adding to the MBE she received in 2002 for her services to librarianship.

For the latest updates