Updated Guidance from the Government on the Additional Restrictions Grants (ARGs), outlines that personal care, including mobile and freelance businesses, are eligible to apply.
At the end of 2021, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced further financial support to help businesses impacted by the Omicron variant. This included, for England, an additional £100m in Additional Restrictions Grants via local authorities.
Within the updated Guidance for the ARGs, paragraph 28 states that: Local Authorities are encouraged to support businesses from all sectors that may have been severely impacted by restrictions, or by the Omicron variant, including those outside of the business rates system. These may include, but are not limited to: hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care, the travel and tourism sector, including group travel, travel agents and tour operators, coach operators, wedding industries, nightclubs, theatres, events industries, wholesalers, English language schools, breweries, freelance and mobile businesses (including caterers, events, hair, beauty and wedding related businesses), gyms, and other businesses that may have not received other grant funding. There is no restriction on the number of grants a business may receive, subject to subsidy limits.
The Additional Restrictions Grant guidance applies until 31 March 2022.
Click here to access the full Additional Restrictions Grant guidance for local authorities.
Scottish COVID-19 Funding for the Personal Care Sector
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Today (05.01.2022), First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced £19 million of financial support specifically for the close contact services sector in Scotland, including hair and beauty businesses. The British Beauty Council is seeking confirmation on how these funds will be distributed. For employees, it was also announced that the £500 Self Isolation Support Grant will again be made available to those on low incomes if contacted by NHS Test and Protect and asked to self-isolate. We will share further information as to how to check eligibility etc as it is made available. In the meantime, existing grants for Scotland can be found below:
- Hair and beauty businesses that previously received support through the Scottish Wedding Industry Fund (SWIF) will be eligible to receive a new payment and will be contacted directly from next week (10 January). Further details here.
- Hair and beauty professionals working within the creative industries (film, media and tv etc) may also be eligible to apply for financial support for any cancelled or postponed projects due to COVID-19. Further details here.
- The Local Authority Discretionary Fund is distributed by local councils in Scotland to help businesses experiencing short-term financial challenges due to COVID-19. Eligibility for this fund is determined by local authorities with further information on how to contact yours here.
