COVID-19: RESOURCE HUB

20 January

We are trying to make things easier for operators to find out non-medical information they might need to handle the effects of COVID-19 on their employees and businesses.  We are updating this page regularly with information we think you need to know.

WEBINAR

• BACK on Air – FREE Webinar – Friday 5 February 2021 – click here to register

PREVIOUS WEBINAR RECORDINGS

• BACK on Air – (Broadcast Friday 22 January) – Please note that information is changing fast and this may now be out of date – click here.
• BACK on Air – (Broadcast Friday 8 January) – Please note that information is changing fast and this may now be out of date – click here.
• BACK on Air – (Broadcast Friday 4 December) – Please note that information is changing fast and this may now be out of date – click here.

SUPPORT PACKAGES AVAILABLE THROUGH BACKHOUSE JONES

• We are listening and understand how the crisis has severe implications for the industry.  We have put together a range of support options available to you.  To view, please click here.

ROUNDUP

• 22 May 2020 weekly roundup – click here
• 15 May 2020 weekly roundup – click here.
• 07 May 2020 weekly roundup – click here.
• 01 May 2020 weekly roundup – click here.
• 24 April 2020 weekly roundup – click here.
• The team at Backhouse Jones have worked together to provide a weekly roundup of everything COVID-19 related including all relevant Regulatory, Employment and Finance updates (17 April 2020) – click here.
• 09 April 2020 weekly roundup – click here.
• March 2020 monthly roundup. (March 2020) – click here.

Employment

Articles

• DVSA Desk-Based Assessments During Lockdown 3 (20 January 2021) – click here.
• Furlough scheme extended to 30 April 2021 (18 December 2020) – click here.
• IMPORTANT UPDATES to the time limits for Furlough Claims (20 November 2020) – click here.
• Furlough claims starting on or after 1 December 2020 (16 November 2020) – click here.
• Not got your employees’ written furlough agreement in place? 13 November deadline looming (10 November 2020) – click here.
• Job Support Scheme – September 2020 (28 September 2020) – click here.
• New rules on self-isolation for employers (28 September 2020) – click here.
• Flexible Furlough Update (03 August) – click here. 
• Recording Furlough and Downloading Tachograph Data During the Pandemic (04 June 2020) – click here.
• Pandemics and sick pay – (21 May) – click here
• Disciplinary and grievance procedures during the coronavirus pandemic (15 May 2020) – click here.
• Understanding compelled annual leave & furlough (5 May 2020) – click here.
• Latest Employment Operator Guide (23 April 2020) – click here.
• PUBLISHED GUIDE for employers regarding how to claim for employees’ wages through CJRS (18 April 2020) – click here.
• Furlough – understanding critical updates from 17 April 2020 (18 April 2020) – click here.
• Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme extended (17 April 2020) – click here.
• Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme online portal open 20 April (9 April) – click here.
• Contracts of Employment: The law has changed (08 April 2020) – click here.
• COVID-19:  Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (“CJRS”) – update (8 April 2020) – click here.
• Senior Traffic Commissioner’s Guidance on Furloughing Transport Managers (08 April 2020) – click here.
• COVID-19:  *UPDATE* OPERATOR EMPLOYMENT GUIDE (27 March 2020) – click here.
• COVID-19:  Furlough, SSP, your employment questions answered (26 March 2020) – click here.
• DVSA advises suspension of classroom delivery of training (25 March 2020) – click here.
• General employment issues and contract issues when things go wrong with those you deal with (updated 13 March 2020)  – click here.

Official Guidance/Resources

• Coronavirus – Job Retention Scheme Calculator – click here 
• Coronavirus – claim back statutory sick pay – click here.
• ACAS code of practice – click here.
• Guidance on holiday entitlement and COVID-19 – click here.
• HM Government Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Step by Step Guide (11 May 2020) – click here.
• Operator guidance note regarding furloughing your employees – click here.
• Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – click here.
• The Coronavirus Act 2020 Functions of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme) Direction (the “Direction”) – click here.
• Furlough Scheme cut off date extended to 19 March 2020 – click here.
• COVID-19 – Claim for wage costs through Coronavirus Job Retention scheme – click here.
• TUPE rules – click here.
• Business succession information click here.

Finance Packages

Articles

• Businesses to get additional support grants to help survive the lockdown (05 January 2021) – click here.
• New loan scheme for private landlords in Scotland (06 May 2020) – click here.
• Business rates revaluation postponed (06 May 2020) – click here.
• Additional funds made available for small businesses (05 May 2020) – click here.
• Bounce Back Loan Scheme Launched (04 May 2020) – click here.
• Applications open for a new £100 million fund for businesses in Scotland (01 May 2020) – click here.
• Government launches new coronavirus business support finder tool (23 April 2020) – click here.
• Business Interruption Loan Scheme expanded to support large businesses (17 April 2020) – click here.
• £3 million funding announced to support business in Greater Manchester (17 April 2020) – click here.
• £500 million Economic Resilience Fund announced to support Welsh businesses (16 April 2020) – click here.
• Scottish Government announces additional support for businesses (16 April 2020) – click here.
• Bus Support Package of almost £400 million announced (08 April 2020) – click here.
• COVID-19: Support packages for Operators from BHJ (27 March 2020) click here.
• Financial help from the government (updated 26 March 2020) – click here.
• COVID-19:  What about if I am self-employed (26 March 2020) – click here.
• COVID-19:  Government announced relaxation of wrongful trading rules (01 April 2020) – click here.

Official Guidance/Resources

• Expanded Retail Discount 2020/21: Coronavirus Response – Local Authority Guidance – click here.
• Apply for the coronavirus Bounce Back Loan – click here.
• Business support for Scotland – click here.
• COVID-19 Business Support Finder – click here.

• Chancellor expands loan scheme for large businesses – click here.

• Greater Manchester Covid-19 business support scheme – click here.
• New £500 million Economic Resilience Fund launched for Wales – click here.
• Chancellor to provide extra £350m to tackle Coronavirus in Wales – click here.
• Scottish Government additional support – click here.tacho
• Welsh COVID-19 Business Support Eligibility Checker – click here.
• Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme Providers – click here.

Procurement Policy Notice

Articles

• Procurement Policy Note 04/20 – Recovery and transition from COVID-19 (12 June) – click here
• Procurement Policy Notice (PPN) 02/20: Supplier relief due to COVID-19 – additional sector guidance for state funded schools (15 May 2020) – click here.
• Advice note:  Procurement Policy Note 02/20 – Supplier relief due to COVID-19 (02 April 2020) – click here.

Official Guidance/Resources

• Procurement Policy Note –Use of Procurement Cards – click here.
• Procurement Policy Note – Responding to COVID-19 – click here.
• Procurement Policy Note – Supplier relief due to COVID-19 – click here.
• Procurement Policy Note – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – click here.
• Procurement Policy Note – Guidance  notes  on  Model  Interim  Payment  Terms – click here.

Drivers’ Hours, Tachographs and Working Time

Articles

• Bamboozled by what extended deadlines and temporary suspensions are still in place? Check out our quick reference guide (04 December 2020) – click here.
• Tachograph Calibrations – the Current Position (23 July 2020) – click here.
• Tachographs – DVSA Update (08 June 2020) – click here.
• Recording Furlough and Downloading Tachograph Data During the Pandemic (04 June 2020) – click here.
• EU Drivers’ Hours Relaxations End (01 June 2020) – click here.
• Temporary relaxation of the enforcement of the EU and GB drivers’ hours rules EXTENDED (17 April 2020) – click here.
• Temporary Relaxation of the EU and GB Drivers’ Hours Rules – Update (07 April 2020) – click here.
• Approved Tachograph Centres – Special Notice from DVSA (06 April 2020) – click here.
• Foster Tachographs’ temporary relaxation to drivers’ hours rules for all goods transport operations – click here.
• Drivers’ hours update (30 March 2020) – click here.

Official Guidance/Resources

• Approved tachograph centre special notice – click here.
• Temporary Relaxation of the EU and GB Drivers’ Hours Rules – Extended – click here.

BHJ Products

• COVID-19 Risk Assessments – click here.
• COVID-19 Contract Issues? – click here.
• COVID-19 Rent Concession – click here.
• Drivers’ Hours – click here.

Vehicle Maintenance

Articles

• COVID-19 – National Lockdown – Annual Testing WILL continue (08 January 2021) – click here.
• COVID-19 Safety Inspection Interval Relaxations – click here. 
• MOT Testing – Update (28 May 2020) – click here.
• Heavy Vehicle Testing – Update (29 April 2020) – click here.
• COVID-19 – Vehicle Approval Tests – Update (24 April 2020) – click here.
• COVID-19: LOLER Testing – HSE Update (23 April 2020) – click here.
• Enforcement of Direct Vision Standard Postponed until February 2021 (14 April 2020) – click here.
• COVID-19:  ATF Bookings (02 April 2020) – click here.
• Stretched PMI intervals (30 March 2020) – click here.
• COVID-19:  MOTs for cars, vans and motorcycles due from 30 March 2020 (25 March 2020) – click here.
• No change for LOLER testing (25 March 2020) – click here.
• Prohibition removal instructions for HGV and PSV (25 March 2020) – click here.
• MOT testing suspended (25 March 2020) – click here.
• Dangerous goods vehicle (ADR) and annual inspection (31 March 2020) – click here.
• COVID-19:  SORN Vehicles (26 March 2020) – click here.
• COVID-19:  Vehicle approval tests suspended (24 March) – click here.

Official Guidance/Resources

Driver CPC

Articles

• Driver CPC Update (05 June 2020) – click here.
• Temporary changes to driver CPC requirements (31 March 2020) – click here.
• DVSA advises suspension of classroom delivery of training (25 March 2020) – click here.

Driver Licensing 

Articles

• Driving tests suspended during lockdown – click here.  
• Driving Licences – Expired Photocards or Entitlements Automatically Extended by Eleven Months (01 September 2020) – click here.
• Driing Licence Photocards (08 June 2020) – click here.
• Driving Licences in Northern Ireland to be Extended (27 May 2020) – click here.
• DVLA launches new trial process for acknowledging vocational driving licence applications (05 May 2020) – click here.
• Letter from DVSA Chief Executive to Vocational Driver Trainers (24 April 2020) – click here.
• Renewing Your Vocational Driving Entitlement – Avoiding Delays (20 April 2020) – click here.
• Temporary suspension of the requirement for a medical for HGV and PCV drivers (17 April 2020) – click here.

Official Guidance/Resourcing

• Can I drive while my application is with DVLA? – click here.
• Can I drive while my application is with DVLA? – click here.
• Medical changes for Vocational Drivers – Q & A – 28/04/2020 – Version 3.1 – click here.
• Letter from DVSA Chief Executive to Vocational Driver Trainers – click here.
• Foster Tachographs – Driving Licence Checklist – click here.

• Renew or change a lorry or bus licence – click here.

DVSA

Articles

• Bamboozled by what extended deadlines and temporary suspensions are still in place? Check out our quick reference guide (4 December 2020) click here.

Traffic Commissioners

Articles

• COVID-19 – Traffic Commissioner Public Inquiries during Lockdown 3 (15 January 2021) – click here.
• Local Bus Service Registrations – Short Notice Flexibility (22 July 2020) – click here.
• Traffic Commissioners to Accept Remote Auditing (24 April 2020) – click here.
• Senior Traffic Commissioner’s Guidance on Furloughing Transport Managers (08 April 2020) – click here.
• Senior Traffic Commissioner Updates Advice Note to Operators (07 April 2020) – click here.

Official Guidance/Resources

• Response to Covid 19, Advice for Operators – 14 January 2021 – click here.
• OTC specific guidance detailing the minimum standards expected of remote audits – click here.
• Operator Compliance Audits – Approach to conducting audits remotely during COVID-19 Pandemic – click here.
• OTC advice for operators – response to COVID-19 – operator licencing, local bus service registration & vocational driver conduct – click here.
• Senior Traffic Commissioner issues a statutory document in response to the COVID-19 outbreak – click here.

PSVAR

Articles

• PSVAR extension for rail replacement services (30 April 2020) – click here.

Official Guidance/Resources

• Rail replacement vehicles: extension of non-accessible period – click here.

Courts/Tribunals

Articles

• Quarantine rules still apply even if you have a Public Inquiry! (21 August 2020) – click here.

Health and Safety

Articles

• Rule of Six (17 September 2020) – click here.
• Face Coverings Mandatory in Transport Hubs (24 July 2020) – click here.
• HGV driver access to hygiene facilities – Reminder from DfT/HSE (08 June 2020) – click here.
• Face Coverings to be Mandatory on Public Transport (05 June 2020) – click here.
• PSV operators – get help with keeping your distance (20 May 2020) – click here.
• BACK on the Job – COVID-19 Risk Assessments: what do I need to do? (19 May 2020) – click here.
• Coronavirus Testing for Key Workers (updated 27 April 2020) – click here.
• HSE Guidance – Reporting Coronavirus Incidents under RIDDOR (08 April 2020) – click here.
• HSE issues new COVID-19 guidance for businesses (06 April 2020) – click here.
• Logistics sector gets Government letter as proof of essential working (31 March 2020) – click here.
• Arrangements for driver welfare (30 March 2020) – click here.

Official Guidance/Resources

Official Guidance/Resources

• Public Health Passenger Locator Form – click here.

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): travellers exempt from border rules in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland – click here.

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): travellers exempt from English border rules – click here.

• Template of certificate for international transport worker – click here.
• Generator of International Travel Certificate to Mainland France – click here.
• France travel advice – click here.

Removal Companies

Articles

• Guidance for removal companies (30 March 2020) – click here.

Commercial

Articles

• Business interruption insurance – Final decision on test case – A lifeline for small businesses (18 January 2021) – click here.
• Vehicle financing – Personal Guarantees (09 December 2020) – click here.
• Implications of COVID-19 – Key issues for the operator (07 August 2020) – click here.
• Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 and the protection it provides for contracts that would otherwise terminate due to insolvency (29 July 2020) – click here.
• Business Interruption Insurance – Test Case Issued in the High Court – (24 June 2020) – click here.

Property

Articles

• Business eviction prevention extended and new code of conduct to assist high street (22 June 2020) – click here.
• Protection for business tenants under the Coronavirus Act 2020 (24 April 2020) – click here.

Competition

Articles

• CMA approach to business cooperation in response to COVID-19 (26 March 2020) – click here.

Cross-Sector Collaboration

Articles

• Cross-sector collaboration (25 March 2020) – click here.

Please give us a call on 01254 828300 or email us at marketing@backhouses.co.uk if you would like any advice.