BCC responds to news of Government plans for £5bn of Restart Grants
Responding to an announcement by The Treasury of £5bn of new Restart Grants for struggling businesses, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the BCC, said: “Chambers of Commerce have campaigned for additional grants to support the cash flow of our hardest-hit...
VAT Deferral New Payment Scheme – online service opens
Over half a million businesses who deferred VAT payments last year can now join the new online VAT Deferral New Payment Scheme to pay it in smaller monthly instalments, HMRC has announced today (23 February). In order to take advantage of the new payment scheme...
Prime Minister’s announcement of the roadmap for cautiously easing lockdown restrictions in England
1. Roadmap out of lockdown From 8 March, people in England will see restrictions start to lift and the government’s four-step roadmap offer a route back to a more normal life. The success of the vaccination programme is one factor - so far over 17 million people have...
Prime Minister to publish roadmap for cautiously easing COVID restrictions
The Prime Minister will set out the government’s roadmap for cautiously easing lockdown restrictions in England. The Prime Minister will today set out the government’s roadmap for cautiously easing lockdown restrictions in England. Cabinet will meet virtually this...
Bookings now open for rapid community testing
Islanders can now book themselves free COVID-19 tests and play their part in helping to reduce the spread of the virus. People who have a legitimate need to be out and about because they cannot work from home are being offered regular testing to help detect cases of...
Government announces £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund
The £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund will help small businesses with changes to trade rules with the EU. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster announces £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund to help small businesses with changes to trade rules with the EU; Traders...
Laptop Reuse for Schools
Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council call to action for donation of laptops that can made available to Newport pupils in urgent need of equipment to enable them to participate in online at home. Donations of laptops are welcomed from individuals, organisations...
Bounce back loan borrowers can delay repayments by extra six months
Businesses that took out government-backed Bounce Back Loans to get through Covid-19 will now have greater flexibility to repay their loans, the government announced today (8 February). Bounce Back Loan borrowers will now have the option to tailor payments according...
Workplace Covid testing offered to more businesses
Workplace Covid testing is now being offered to more businesses for staff who cannot work from home during lockdown. Businesses with more than 50 employees are now able to access lateral flow tests, which can produce results in less than 30 minutes. Around one in...
MP and IW Chamber of Commerce remind businesses what they can claim
Following the release of new grant funding to support businesses through the current lockdown, MP Bob Seely and IW Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, Steven Holbrook, say they are keen that Island businesses don’t miss out. The Government has made a range of grants...
Island Business January / February 2026
