As repayments start kicking in…find out how to extend the term of your BBL to ease your cashflow.
Clients who took out government-backed Bounceback Loans (BBLs) to get through Covid-19 do have some flexibility to repay their loans.
The Pay as You Grow repayment scheme includes the option to delay all repayments for a further six months, meaning businesses can choose to make no payments on their loans until 18 months after they originally took them out. The option to pause repayments is available to all from their first repayment, rather than after six repayments have been made.
Pay as You Grow enables borrowers to extend the length of their loans from six to ten years (reducing monthly repayments by almost half) and make interest-only payments for six months, in order to tailor their repayment schedule to suit their individual circumstances.
These Pay as You Growoptions are available to more than 1.4 million businesses which took out a total of nearly £45 billion through the Bounceback Loan Scheme.
You can find out more about extending the term of your BBL – or delaying the repayments here on the official Government website.
Many of our clients (just like the rest of the world!) are keen on having online meetings via Zoom or Teams during this period. We are no exception – and we’re very happy to meet ‘virtually’ as well as at our safe and secure office environment in Hale.
Since we launched our practice we’ve always had a philosophy of embracing technology and for us it’s been a seamless transition to hybrid and remote working/meeting.
For those people who prefer to meet face-to-face, you can be assured that our office is a reassuring environment. As well as PPE equipment (hand sanitiser, face-masks, screens, signing in) we maintain social distancing measures so our staff and clients can be as comfortable as possible during this time.
If you want to review your end-of-year accounts or any part of your business tax strategy via Zoom or Teams– don’t hesitate to ask – we’ll be happy to do so!
We’re extending our campaign with the award-winning Altrincham Today magazine and website. We’re pleased to extend this relationship during 2021 as the world emerges from lockdowns.
Altrincham Today is the best-read media title in Altrincham, with over 200,000 unique online users a month and a highly engaged social media community of around 50,000.
It has twice been recognised by the O2 Media Awards – and was named Startup of the Year at the Sale & Altrincham Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.
In September 2020, the magazine was relaunched. The lockdown gave the team (ably led by David and Kath) the chance to rethink every aspect of it and reimagine what kind of print title it wanted to be post-Covid.
The result is a fantastic new design on a larger format. Readers welcome the new look and the magazine remains an absolutely indispensable companion for anyone with an interest in and a passion for Altrincham.
Here’s a sneak preview of our Summer campaign in the new magazine:
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We’re proud to be entering a team in the BRAND NEWAltrincham 10k run and will be joining thousands of fellow runners in chasing down a personal best along the closed roads of Altrincham on 5th September 2021.
Starting and finishing in the centre of Altrincham it will be a popular event that will raise thousands of pounds for charity from everybody taking part. We’re already in training for the event and we’re pleased to be taking part in another community initiative in our local town.
The Altrincham 10k is open to runners of all abilities whether it will be your first 10k or your 50th, the route offers a perfect chance for a chip timed, personal best with full road closures during the event. Each mile will be accurately marked out with distance flags and there will be plenty of helpers along the course to encourage runners all the way to the finish line.
If you want to enter a team (or just yourself!) you can visit the official website here to register. We’ll see you there!
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As members of MGI Worldwide, we are always happy to push the virtues of doing business in the UK – and within our own region of Greater Manchester in particular.
MGI Worldwide, is a top 20 international accounting network of independent audit, tax and accounting firms, which brings together the expertise of some 10,000 professionals in over 100 locations around the world. Our membership enables us to keep abreast of important new developments, while providing a seamless international service to any of our clients looking for support abroad.
Through MGI Worldwide, our firm benefits from connections with people we get to know and trust in all corners of the globe.
That’s why we’re getting ready (with the support of MIDAS, Manchester’s inward investment agency, which has provided us with lots of incredible data, statistics and insights about the business opportunities in Greater Manchester) to deliver a presentation to member firms from across the globe. Watch this space for further details when a date is secured.
Speak to us if you are thinking of relocating your business to Manchester.
International links at Alexander Knight & Co
We can help you to make your international business a success. MGI Worldwide is a quality controlled network and, like all member firms, we are subject to review of our quality assurance systems and procedures against international standards. We’ll be very pleased to support you with trading in the UK – or trading in other countries around the world.
If you are an international business looking to relocate to the UK – or launch a UK subsidiary – email Murray Patt now.
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The Covid-19 Recovery Loan Scheme can be an option for entrepreneurs who require a little more support as we emerge from restrictions.
More than a year after the first lockdown, company directors can be forgiven for thinking that they may have exhausted every last available measure of Government support available. However, the lesser known recovery loan scheme may be another option to explore.
What is the Recovery Loan Scheme?
Launched on 6th April 2021, the Recovery Loan Scheme replaces the original coronavirus loans, which provided invaluable emergency funding from the start of the pandemic.
The government provides an 80% guarantee for all loans, with no personal guarantees needed for borrowing up to £250,000. Interest rates are capped at 14.99%, with loan terms ranging from three to six years, depending on the type of funding used.
Who is eligible?
The loan is designed to be accessible for businesses across all industries. It is open to all companies trading in the UK, except for public sector bodies, state-funded primary and secondary schools, banks, building societies, insurers and reinsurers.
As usual with the support available from the Government, you must confirm that your business has been adversely affected by Covid-19.
Can you still get a recovery loan if you’ve already had a CBIL or Bounce Back Loan?
Yes! You are still eligible for the Recovery Loan Scheme if your business requires additional funding. However, this time there will be no interest-free period like there was with the other coronavirus schemes.
Of course, a major appeal of a Recovery Loan is that a personal guarantee is not required for loans taken up to £250,000.
How to apply.
You can find a lender accredited to offer Recovery Loans from the list on the British Business Bank website and apply to them directly.
You can find more detailed information about the scheme on the Government’s own website here.
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We are thrilled to announce that Danielle Cresswell and Alastair Tough have joined the Alexander Knight & Co team.
Bringing a wealth of experience from her time working at accountancy practices across the region, Danielle will provide hands-on support in the role of Manager. In her spare time, you will find Danielle either walking her beloved Shih Tzu, Ty, or cheering on top tier rugby league club, St Helens.
Alastair recently graduated from the University of Warwick and has chosen to take the first steps of his accountancy career with us. Joining as an Assistant Accountant, Alastair recently relocated from Nottingham to be part of the Alexander Knight & Co team and we are so pleased to have him.
Murray Patt, founder of Alexander Knight & Co, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Danielle and Alastair to our team. It’s fantastic to have them on board as we enter the exciting next stage of growth as a business.”
Welcome to the Alexander Knight & Co team, Danielle and Alastair!
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Our team has analysed yesterday’s budget and we have now produced our 2021 Budget Report which covers off all the main issues you need to know as a business owner. Click below to download.
If you have any queries about how any of the measures impact you and your business please speak to our team on (0161) 980 8788 or email murray@alexanderknightaccountants.co.uk
Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, has confirmed some key changes that will impact you and your business. We are analysing the detail of the changes and we will update you very soon on what it means specifically for your business.
We feel that the Chancellor has listened to the concerns of business owners and their professional advisers and whilst the Treasury needs to balance the books, the good news is that the main tax rise (corporation tax) isn’t effective until 2023.
The ‘super deduction tax break’ (see below) looks very interesting and we will be looking more closely into this to see where our clients can benefit. Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rules appear to remain unchanged – but we will be checking the detail of the official budget report today.
The top 5 things you need to know today are:
1) Furlough extended until October 2021
This measure is helpful if your business needs ‘breathing space’ to enable your business and staffing levels to normalise steadily as the economy revs up after lockdown The scheme tapers with a 10% contribution expected by employers in July – and a 20% contribution in August and September. Speak to us for help in processing your new furlough claims accurately.
2) Corporation tax increase
Corporation tax will rise to 25% (up from 19%) in April 2023 – but only for firms with profits of more than £250,000. A new, ‘small profits rate’ will be established at 19% (as it is now) for firms with profits up to £50,000. In addition, the rate of 19% will taper up steadily to 25% for companies with profits above that level up to £250,000.
3) New ‘Recovery Loan’ Scheme
A new loan scheme (separate from bounce-back loans and CBILS) is being launched, of which 80% will be underwritten by the Government for lenders). We will be looking closely at who can apply, how the rates will work and what the lending criteria will be. So far we know that the loans range from £25,000 up to £10m and firms have until the end of the year to apply.
4) Super deduction tax break
A new super deduction tax break has been launched for firms that will reduce their tax bill by 130% of what they spend on investment. It’s a significant change to current capital allowances legislation. We will be checking this area very carefully.
5) Last orders…
Want to buy your local pub? A new £150m Community Ownership Fund will give you the chance to buy into endangered pubs, sports clubs, theatres, music venues and even post office buildings. Under the fund, which will open in the summer, community groups will be able to bid for up to £250,000 matched-funding to buy local assets to run as community-owned businesses. Bids are to open later in the year. Cheers!
SPEAK TO OUR TEAM IF YOU NEED MORE SUPPORT ON IMPLEMENTING THE CHANGES CONFIRMED IN TODAY’S SPRING BUDGET.
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New skills have been acquired by all business owners during the past twelve months. Entrepreneurs are a resilient bunch and many have successfully been able to evolve their businesses and their skillsets during the pandemic. In many sectors, they are beginning to thrive again or at least, as the vaccine is being rolled out, starting to feel more positive about the future.
Therefore, the mindsets of many business owners have turned from ‘survival mode’ to ‘growth mode’ as they tentatively seek to expand their teams to enable them to thrive in the looming post-Covid business climate.
For most people, business growth is synonymous with hiring new people.
Recruiting in a pandemic certainly presents its challenges. We talk to many business owners who say the way they hire people will have to change if they are to attract the best staff not only during lockdown but afterwards too.
Remote-recruiting
On the one hand, it’s easier and more convenient than ever before to undertake interviews and assessments via tools like Zoom and Teams.
Attracting candidates digitally through social media and the ease of applying for jobs on platforms like Linked In means that, in theory, it should be simple to attract people to roles that need to be filled. Recruitment agencies can also play a positive role if they are fully tuned into the candidate you’re looking for and can articulate it well to the ‘marketplace’.
On the other hand, some people are reluctant to make the move from their existing employers in these times of uncertainty and competition is fiercer than ever before for the right candidate.
It’s an attractive role -plenty of opportunity for the right candidate to succeed in a supportive environment, along with flexible working arrangements on a hybrid basis from our Grade A office space in Hale village. Despite us only just starting the search we’re in the fortunate position of having strong interest in the role already and we are happy to take our time in selecting the right candidate.
Take your time
Some businesses, however, aren’t as fortunate as us and don’t have the luxury of time and/or the magnet of being an ’employer of choice’ in their marketplace. It’s these types of business that will have to work harder than ever before in modernising their recruitment process in order to attract good candidates in 2021.
If there’s one piece of advice I’d offer, based on my experience of running a business and working with many successful entrepreneurs, it would be that it is far better to wait for the right person to add to your team than recruit in haste and regret it for a long time afterwards. Taking care to select the right person for the job will pay dividends further down the line as we emerge from lockdown.
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