DIT UPDATE 27.3.2020

1. DIT Update – British Water call on Friday 27th March – Eddie Malone
o How Covid-19 is currently impacting DIT
o In UK, almost all staff working from home (10 days) but trying to maintain
business as usual
o Overseas, most Posts also have staff working from home
o Certain Posts also in Crisis Mode, supporting wider Consular needs in that
market
o e.g. Indonesia – lots of UK citizens currently in Bali and trying to get
home
o DIT Staff and others pulled into the effort to support this
o DIT China
o Reporting that COVID seemingly under control
o Lockdown there starting to ease. People returning to work week after next
o How Covid-19 will impact business in general across the UK and / or overseas
o Most of DITs work involves identifying project opportunities and looking at
how to get this in front of UK companies
o Via email updates, engaging directly with business, events in UK or overseas
and / or missions to market
o Conversations ongoing but hampered by current events – difficult to do
Business Development when advice is to isolate
o Some DIT Teams are looking at organising Virtual Missions to overseas
markets - not ideal – but interesting ideas…
o World Water Congress – Copenhagen Oct 2020
o Working on this with British Water, Anglian and others
o Assuming this will go ahead and DIT in Copenhagen aware
o UKEF Working Capital Scheme
o e.g. company looking for loan support to meet export order
o This scheme designed to support this
o In the past, needed a major new order – now more flexible to support
general export business and SMEs
o What we could all do to best support each other at this time
o Dedicated Business Support Website at
https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/
o Chancellors recent announcements of support can be found here
o Job retention scheme, Business Rate Holidays etc…
o Questions from UK businesses about the impact coronavirus may have on
their business, and requests, can also be made directly via email
to COVID19@trade.gov.uk
o We are triaging this data so the government can make more informed
choices on the immediate actions required
o Please cc me on any emails you send to this address

2. Summary of UK Government Advice / Guidance for Business @ 27th March
COVID-19 updates
For immediate, daily or weekly updates of Government responses and interventions to
COVID19 you can register here;
Business Support
1. Business interruption loan scheme – delivered by British Business Bank and builds
on an existing scheme (Enable Finance Guarantee) administered by
them. https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/ourpartners/supporting-business-
loans-enterprise-finance-guarantee/efg-accredited-lenders/
2. Statutory Sick Pay – This is administered by HMRC, but “Existing systems are not
designed to facilitate employer refunds for SSP”. This is UK
wide.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/sick-pay-from-day-one-for-those-
affected-by-coronavirus
3. Time to Pay – This is administered by HMRC and is a UK wide scheme for tax
payment relief https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/time-to-pay.
4. Small Business Rate Relief – currently administered by local authorities.
5. Business Rates Retail Discount – currently administered English local authorities.
6. COVID-19: Can the lender pull the loan? Businesses affected by COVID-19 will
undoubtedly experience reduced trading and profitability. The question is whether
the impact could result in draw stop and/or an event of default – this is unlikely…
article here from Burges Salmon https://www.burges-salmon.com/news-and-
insight/legal-updates/financial-services/covid-19-can-the-lender-pull-the-loan/
7. Budget - You can find the current budget summary here. It will be updated when
more information becomes available.
General Business Guidance for COVID - 19
 Practical steps importers and exporters can take to protect business and manage
risk How can businesses respond to the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19)?
 There is also general guidance for businesses which you can find
herehttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-
businesses-about-covid-19
Guidance for self-isolating for you and your staff.
You can find basic guidance from the NHS here and very detailed guidance from .GOV here.
Eddie Malone | Water Sector Manager
Department for International Trade | AlexanderBain House,15York Street | Glasgow G28JQ
Mob: +44 (0) 7471 021603 | WhatsApp(07840656 967) E-mail: eddie.malone@trade.gov.uk; ed.malone.fco@gmail.com