Archives for April 2020

At the Glass and Glazing Covid-19 Circle, the GGF once again underlined its position on the issue around installers working during the Coronavirus pandemic.

John Agnew, Managing Director attended the online forum and afterwards stated;

“I was pleased to relay the GGF’s position on this serious issue. Though some in our industry appear to be making up their own rules and guidance on this issue and are misrepresenting the GGF, let me clarify. We have consistently followed the Government’s guidelines. It can’t be any clearer; if it is safe to work to the Government and Public Health England guidance, then tradespeople can work in domestic homes.”

The GGF recently published clear three-point criteria for installers to help them make the decision to work in domestic properties.

The GGF position in line with the Government’s advice and Public Health England Guidance urges employers to do the following:

1. Only continue to work if it is safe to do so within the health and safety guidelines as published on the Government website
2. Conduct a thorough health and safety risk assessment
3. Check with your insurers that you covered for Public Health and Health and Safety Employer liability

Earlier this month, the GGF sought and gained Government clarification on the issue of essential and non-essential workers operating in a persons’ home.

On the 7^th of April, the Government department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Directorate of Construction clarified:

“There is currently no distinction between essential and inessential construction work in England. The Government’s position is that construction work can continue, provided the worker is not displaying symptoms of Covid19, does not need to self-isolate for another reason, and that the work can be done in a manner consistent with the guidelines published by Public Health England (PHE).”

PwC hosted the COVID-19 Circle on 27 April, to provide a mechanism for companies to discuss industry specific issues of common interest to help the industry supply chain re-establish post- COVID-19 and enhance risk management procedures. It also provides an open forum for shared technical knowledge and experience.

In summary, John Agnew added, “It was good to take part in this online forum and we will do so again to ensure our Members are being properly represented and our thoughts and positions are made clear. If any company is unsure of where they stand with the Government guidance I would suggest they either visit the Government’s own website for confirmation. If greater clarity is required on the GGF’s position, then please contact the GGF directly.”

The GGF was pleased to hear that its Member are now starting to get the essential financial support to keep their businesses going as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme payments have started arriving in companies’ accounts. In addition, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced news of a new bounce-back loan scheme enabling companies to get up to £50k within 24 hours of application approval.

Job Retention Scheme Pays Out after 7 Days

The GGF was pleased to hear that some Members have now received payment from the Government through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, just seven days after the online portal opened for applications on 20 April 2020.

The Scheme which offers grants to pay for up to 80% of a furloughed employees’ wages was announced on the 25^th March to help companies that have been affected by the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19), and have furloughed their employees.

To read more details on the eligibility of the scheme and to apply/claim for the grant please go direct to the Government’s online portal by clicking the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wages-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

Chancellor announces support for small businesses

UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced that small businesses will be eligible for new loans worth between £2,000 and £50,000. The loans will also be backed by a 100% government guarantee.

The Chancellor stated that the Government will pay the interest on these “bounce-back loans” for the first 12 months.

The scheme will open from 9:00am on Monday 4^th May.

The chancellor says there will be “no complex eligibility criteria… just a standard form for people to fill in”.

The Chancellor confirmed the loans should arrive within 24 hours of approval of the application.

On this announcement, James Lee, GGF Director of External Affairs, commented, “The GGF wrote directly to the Chancellor on 9^th April, asking for the small business grant scheme to increase from ten thousand pounds to thirty thousand pounds, so this new loan scheme has exceeded our request and expectations. It is also good to hear the application process will be straight forward and the payment will be swift once approved. The added bonus is that the loan will be interest free for the first 12 months.”

To find out more please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/news/small-businesses-boosted-by-bounce-back-loans

Webinar: Financial support for small businesses during coronavirus (COVID-19)

Register to join a free webinar hosted by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy at 11am on Monday 4 May to find out how small business can access the coronavirus business support measures that have been made available to UK businesses.

The webinar will cover:

• Eligibility for small business grants
• Applying for a loan
• Tax
• Claiming for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

You will have the opportunity to ask questions during the webinar.

The GGF will publish more information on financial support for companies curing the COVID-19 crisis as and when we receive more details.

The National Home Improvement Council has released an industry survey to measure the impact of the Coronavirus has had on consumers and the Home Improvement sector.

All Home Improvement companies are invited to take part in this unique survey which measures the level of consumer detriment in the whole sector and not just glass, glazing and fenestration.

To take part simply click here: https://nhic.org.uk/home-improvement-covid-19-consumer-detriment-survey/

The GGF has underlined its positions on several issues around the developing COVID-19 crisis and its impact on the glass and glazing industry. In a statement to GGF Members and the Industry, John Agnew GGF, Managing Director clarified the GGF’s position with regard to the issue on whether companies should choose to close temporarily or to continue operating safely. The statement also addressed the cash flow crisis and the economic situation ahead.

Statement from John Agnew, GGF Managing Director:

Since the outbreak of this terrible virus and the impact on our industry, the GGF has maintained a consistent and responsible position to help primarily our Member companies and also the wider industry.

During the crisis, the GGF has aligned itself with Government advice and guidelines which have admittedly changed as the crisis has developed. There is no doubt, that some of the Government’s messages for our industry have caused confusion and misinterpretation. The GGF can’t answer for the Government but can only interpret and relay the information as and when we receive it.

To date, the GGF has been extremely active during the COVID-19 pandemic. To highlight this, a summary of all of our activity has now been published on our website. Our regular communications to GGF Members and the wider industry as well as our engagement with government and related construction trade bodies have been welcome from the feedback we have received. In addition, throughout these extraordinary times, the GGF has also maintained its core services to underline our leading and proactive role as the industry’s main trade body.

In the past few weeks, some in the industry have questioned our position on various Government messages and none more so than the specific issue around installers continuing to work in domestic premises.

On this point of whether or not window and door installers and glaziers should be considered essential or non-essential workers, the GGF sought and received clarification from Government which stated that there was no distinction between essential and inessential workers in construction. The Government is keen for the construction industry to continue, as long as it is safe to do so under Public Health England Guidelines and in line with the Government’s Social Distancing guidelines.

Following this clarification and the GGF’s distribution of the Government health and safety information, we have still received some queries regarding the issue from companies who are unsure.  

For further clarity, the GGF position on this issue, is in line with the Government’s advice and Public Health England Guidance, and as such we therefore urge employers to do the following:

1. Only continue to work if it is safe to do so within the health and safety guidelines as published on the Government website
2. Conduct a thorough health and safety risk assessment
3. Check with your insurers that you covered for Public Health and Health and Safety Employer liability

The GGF has also recently published the Government guidance for manufacturers and processors should they choose to continue to work.

With thousands of companies in our industry, I respect that every company’s situation may differ and that is why the GGF can’t offer individual or specific advice, but instead encourages employers to follow the Government guidelines and to make their own responsible decisions for the health and benefit of all concerned.

Other than health concerns, the issue facing most companies is the cash flow crisis. The GGF has published online advice articles and issued Government guidance on how companies can cope with cash flow problems. As well as the immediate financial needs, many businesses are also now preparing for the financial issues ahead with the inevitable recession on the horizon and lengthy economic recovery.

We are in unprecedented trading landscape and the GGF advice to all companies is to make a plan if you haven’t already done so to help you get through this situation.       

The GGF has internally adjusted its resources and refocused its strategies to ensure Members get greater and more specific support. We have published and promoted all of the relevant Government financial packages, which have been significant and comprehensive. I have no doubt that the responsible businesses in our industry, will use this Government support, take help them plan their future accordingly.

The new Government Business Support Hub has many options available should you require to apply for financial support.

The GGF has worked tirelessly throughout this crisis for the benefit of our Members and the wider industry and we will continue to do so. We are constantly monitoring and reviewing the Government updates, communicating key information and news to Members and the industry as well as relaying our Members’ concerns to Government. In addition, we are also continuing to provide the high level of technical services that are a core part of the GGF Member benefits.   

These times though extremely difficult will undoubtedly pass. For now, it is all about following Government guidance, staying safe and making the right decisions to ensure we emerge ready for when business and life returns to normal.

John Agnew

The Government has launched a Future Fund scheme which will provide government loans to UK-based companies facing difficulty during the coronavirus outbreak. The loans range from £125,000 to £5 million, subject to at least equal match funding from private investors. The scheme will be available from May.

UK businesses driving innovation and development will be helped through the coronavirus outbreak with the £1.25 billion government support package. The comprehensive package includes a new £500 million loan scheme for high-growth firms and £750 million of targeted support for small and medium sized businesses focusing on research and development.

The Future Fund will issue convertible loans to innovative companies which are facing financing difficulties due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Future Fund will provide government loans to UK-based companies ranging from £125,000 to £5 million, subject to at least equal match funding from private investors.

These convertible loans may be a suitable option for businesses that rely on equity investment and are unable to access the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme. The scheme will be delivered in partnership with the British Business Bank and will launch in May 2020.

To read more details about this new funding scheme please click on the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/future-fund

The Government’s furlough scheme for businesses is now live online, with employers able to apply for a cash grant to cover up to 80 percent of their furloughed staff’s wages.

The scheme was announced on the 25^th March to help companies affected by the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19), and have furloughed their employees.   

You read more details on the eligibility of the scheme and to apply/claim for the grant please go direct to the Government’s online portal by clicking the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wages-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

The importance of the Manufacturing and Processing sectors to the economy are recognised by Government and as such, once again the Government has stated that manufacturing can continue, if done in accordance with the Social Distancing, Health and Safety guidance as per the Public Health England guidelines.

In their most recent update published (8 April 2020) the Government advises Manufacturers and Processors to follow these guidelines:

1. If you decide it is safe to continue manufacturing, staff should work side by side or facing away from each other rather than face-to-face if possible.
2. You should increase the frequency of cleaning procedures, pausing production in the day if necessary for cleaning staff to wipe down workstations with disinfectant.
3. You should assign staff to the same shift teams to limit social interaction.
4. You should not allow staff to congregate in break times; you should consider arrangements such as staggered break times so that staff can continue to practice social distancing when taking breaks.
5. You should communicate to all staff that they should wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or more at the beginning and end of every break, when they arrive at work and before they leave.
6. You should consider adding additional pop-up handwashing stations or facilities, providing soap, water and/or hand sanitiser.
7. When entering and leaving, you should ensure your workforce stays 2 metres apart as much as possible.

To protect your staff, you should remind colleagues daily to only come into work if they are well and no one in their household is self-isolating.

To find out more about the Government Social Distancing visit here and Public Health England’s safety guidelines please visit the website here

The Government has confirmed that the 20th of April will be the earliest that applications can be made to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

The Government portal is currently still being tested but is expected to be ready from 20 April.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme was set up by Government in March to help companies that cannot maintain their current workforce because their operations have been severely affected by coronavirus (COVID-19). Under the scheme, an employer can furlough employees and apply for a grant that covers 80% of their usual monthly wage costs, up to £2,500 a month, plus the associated Employer National Insurance contributions and pension contributions (up to the level of the minimum automatic enrolment employer pension contribution) on that subsidised furlough pay.

On 15 April, the British Chamber of Commerce claimed that one third of companies have furloughed 75% of their employees. 

This temporary scheme in place for 3 months starting from 1 March 2020, but it may be extended if necessary and employers can use the scheme anytime during this period. Employers can claim for furloughed employees that were employed and on their PAYE payroll on or before 19 March 2020.

The scheme is designed to help employers whose operations have been severely affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) to retain their employees and protect the UK economy. However, all employers are eligible to claim under the scheme and the government recognises different businesses will face different impacts from coronavirus.

On 20^th April the Government will open the online portal for applications and provide greater detail on eligibility and extent of the support this scheme will offer companies during the COVID-19 crisis.

To find out more about the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme please visit the Government website here.

Following a review of the Government’s financial support packages, the GGF has formally written to The Chancellor of the Exchequer highlighting the cash flow crisis caused by the COVID-19 outbreak and the length of the process to claim and receive payment under the new Government schemes.

The GGF also proposed three ways to improve the current financial situation many small to medium sized companies find themselves in at the present time.

The three proposals include:

1. That glass and glazing companies be made eligible for the Cash Grant Scheme (that is currently open only for companies in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors)
2. That glass and glazing companies are made eligible to apply for the current Business Rates Holiday (currently only open to companies in retail, hospitality and leisure sectors)
3. To increase the maximum amount that can be claimed under the Small Business Grant Funding scheme from £10,000 to £30,000

The GGF has asked the Chancellor to treat these requests as a priority to prevent many small to medium sized companies potentially going out of business and causing greater problems throughout the supply chain.

To read the very latest on the Government Business Support Packages and to find out how you can apply for financial support please visit:  https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/

The Government department HM Revenue & Customs has updated the guidance regarding the furloughing of employees under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

The online application portal will now be available at the end of April 2020.

The new guidance clarifies that Company Directors can be furloughed and that routinely paid overtime and other regular payments can be included in calculations of pay.

You can find the latest guidance on the Government website here.

The GGF will continue to update all Members on this fast moving and ever changing situation to help your business cope during these difficult times.

The Government on 8 April, released more guidance and specific information regarding the construction industry operating during the COVID-19 crisis.

The latest guidance is as follows:  

Tradespeople and working in people’s homes

• Tradespersons carrying out essential repairs and maintenance in people’s homes. You can continue work, providing that you are well and have no symptoms. You should notify all clients in advance of your arrival.
• On entry to the home you should wash your hands using soap and water for 20 seconds.
• You should wash your hands regularly, particularly after blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing, and when leaving the property.
• Where facilities to wash hands are not available, hand sanitiser should be used, and you should carry this with you at all times.
• You should maintain a safe distance (at least 2 metres) from any household occupants at all times, and ensure good ventilation in the area where you are working, including opening the window.
• No work should be carried out in any household which is isolating or where an individual is being shielded, unless your work is to remedy a direct risk to the safety of the household, such as emergency plumbing or repair.
• No work should be carried out by a tradesperson who has coronavirus symptoms, however mild.

Construction

• Construction can continue if done in accordance with the social distancing guidelines wherever possible.
• Where it is not possible to follow the social distancing guidelines in full in relation to a particular activity, you should consider whether that activity needs to continue for the site to continue to operate, and, if so, take all the mitigating actions possible to reduce the risk of transmission.
• If you decide the work should go ahead, you should advise staff to wash their hands frequently using soap and water for 20 seconds, and especially after blowing their nose, sneezing or coughing, on arrival at work, before and after eating, after using public transport, and when they arrive home. Where facilities to wash hands are not available, hand sanitiser should be used.
• You should still advise staff to keep 2 metres apart as much as possible.
• You should plan work to minimise contact between workers and avoid skin-to-skin and face-to-face contact. Where face-to-face contact is essential, this should be kept to 15 minutes or less wherever possible.
• As much as possible, keep groups of workers working together in teams that are as small as possible (cohorting). For example, you keep vehicle crews working together, rather than mixing crew members on different shifts.
• Staff should also wash their hands each time before getting into enclosed machinery (such as diggers) with others, and wash their hands every time they get out. To help with this, you should consider adding additional pop-up handwashing stations or facilities, providing soap, water and/or hand sanitiser.
• Employees should keep the windows of enclosed machinery or enclosed spaces open for ventilation and be careful to avoid touching their face at all times. The inside of cabs should be regularly cleaned, particularly between use by different operators.
• You should try to use stairs in preference to lifts or hoists. Where lifts or hoists must be used, you should lower their capacity to reduce congestion and contact at all times, and regularly clean touchpoints, such as doors and buttons.
• To protect your staff, you should remind colleagues daily to only come into work if they are well and no one in their household is self-isolating.

The Construction Leadership Council has published more detailed advice on how you might carry out government guidance.

Additional useful information for firms can be accessed on BuildUK’s website.

To see the full Government guidance page for social distancing in the workplace during the coronavirus crisis please visit: the Government’s website

In the last few days, the GGF has been asked by many Members for clarification on whether they should or should not remain open for business.

Having collated several differing views and interpretations of Government guidelines from the membership, internal staff and industry experts, the GGF today, wrote directly to the Ministers at the Department of Business Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and received an immediate reply from the Directorate of Construction who clarified the situation:

“There is currently no distinction between essential and inessential construction work in England. The Government’s position is that construction work can continue, provided the worker is not displaying symptoms of Covid19 (coronavirus), does not need to self-isolate for another reason, and that the work can be done in a manner consistent with the guidelines published by Public Health England (PHE).”

The BEIS official offered further help signposting The Construction Leadership Council’s standard Site Operating Procedures which provide advice on how the Public Health England guidelines can be applied on construction sites, which can be accessed here.

There is additional advice is available on the HSE website.

Following this clarification, the GGF also advises the following steps to help companies decide if they should continue to operate or close temporarily.

Firstly, conduct a health and safety risk assessment this should include questions such as:

1. Can my employees work 2m apart?
2. Have any of my employees shown symptoms of coronavirus?
3. Are any of my employees shielding or living with anyone who has shown signs or symptoms of the coronavirus
4. Have my customers or suppliers shown any signs of coronavirus?
5. Can my employees wash their hands or use sanitiser at work?
6. Do all my employees have sufficient appropriate and fully adequate PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) such as masks and gloves?

Secondly, the GGF recommends that all companies contact their Insurance Provider to ensure that Employer’s Liability & Public Liability insurance policies are unaffected during this period, as long as all the Government guidelines are adhered to.

Thirdly, make sure you have the homeowner’s consent to work in their home and also ask the homeowner if there is any risk of your employees contracting COVID-19 by entering and working in the property.

John Agnew, GGF Managing Director commented, “Though we are pleased to receive such a swift and clear response from Government with clarification over this important matter, it must be noted that this a fast-moving and changing situation. I would therefore, advise all Members to look out for further updates but in the meantime, if you are open for business to ensure you are operating within the Government’s Health and Safety guidelines and social distancing guidance.”

The GGF is continuing its daily communication with various Government departments on behalf of Members and will be cascading relevant information as and when it is received.

In the meantime, Members can see updates on:

GLASSi latest issue

Covid-19 Business Continuity Support section

The GGF has received a number of mixed messages regarding the industry’s functionality during the current COVID-19 crisis and it still isn’t absolutely clear if; the industry is in a state of paralysis due to a broken supply chain or if it is still operational to some extent.

The industry at present can be broken down into two main categories; Operating Companies and those Not Operating. It is perhaps worth noting why and how some companies can operate and others can’t in these unprecedented times.  

Operating companies

Companies in the glass and glazing industry are currently operating in the following ways:  

• Operating with full staff and a full range of product/services
• Operating but with limited services and products
• Operating with but with limited number of staff
• Operating but only carrying out essential or emergency work

All operating companies should be doing so safely and in accordance with the Government Health and social distancing guidelines as well as the Government’s Site Operating Procedures.

At present, the GGF believes there are some companies in every sector (link of the chain) who are in some way operational.

The GGF advises all Members who are still open for business during these times to update their profile page(s) on the GGF website or update the homepage of their websites declaring they are still operational and open for business.  

Not Operating:

• For health reasons:

Many companies have closed on a temporary basis because they are following Government guidance on health and social distancing. The owners/directors of these companies have taken the sensible decision to close in the interests of the health and safety of their employees and customers.

Worth noting that most of the companies that have decided to close have done so on a temporary basis and many have closed initially for a few weeks and will then review the situation.

Some other companies have closed because they have a shortage of staff due to their employees contracting coronavirus symptoms and, as well as being not fit to work, they have also had to self-isolate under the Government guidance.

• For supply and demand reasons:

Some companies have had to close temporarily because they can’t get the materials and products they require to continue their work. Others have closed simply because they have not received enough or indeed any orders.

• For financial reasons:

Though the Government has introduced and is starting to implement fiscal measures to support businesses across the UK, the process is protracted and many small and medium-sized businesses are struggling to maintain a healthy cash flow. This has resulted in many companies deciding to close temporarily to reduce financial risk.

All Member companies who are closed temporarily are advised to make it known on their GGF website profile pages and/or on the homepage of their website.

Considerations:

1. There is no definite time period for companies either closing or continuing to operate during the COVID-19 crisis
2. Companies closing does not mean they have gone into liquidation or administration – the closures are only temporary
3. There is no hard evidence that the supply chain is completely broken, some companies are still buying and selling the products/materials they need to operate
4. Imports have also affected the overall supply chain
5. Make your customers aware of your operating situation – whether you are open or temporarily closed for business.
6. Consider alternative suppliers if your normal suppliers are no longer operational
7. Keep monitoring information online and in the trade and social media as well as the  mainstream news for signs of improvement and when it is safe to resume life as normal

The outbreak of COVID-19) and its grip on businesses, industries and economies are unprecedented and the main issue with most companies is low or slow cash flow. Simply not having the cash to pay staff and overheads has become a harsh reality for many and though the UK and Irish Governments have taken steps to implement measures to support businesses during this time, the process and waiting for financial aid is taking its toll.

The Government financial support package includes:

• a Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
• deferring VAT and Self-Assessment payments
• a Self-employment Income Support Scheme
• a Statutory Sick Pay relief package for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs)
• a 12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality, leisure and nursery businesses in England
• small business grant funding of £10,000 for all business in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief
• grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
• the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme offering loans of up to £5 million for SMEs through the British Business Bank
• a new lending facility from the Bank of England to help support liquidity among larger firms, helping them bridge coronavirus disruption to their cash flows through loans
• the HMRC Time To Pay Scheme

Check the Government business support website for answers to frequently asked questions.

In addition to the measures now being implemented, the Government has also announced it will be making £330 billion available to business as a consequence of the COVID-19 outbreak – though there is still no news of when this will be available and how it will be apportioned.

The financial support package may be good news, but in reality, many companies can’t afford to wait for the implementation with the process looking like it could take over 6-8 weeks. The GGF understands that access to some of the schemes is in now place, but the sheer volume of applications is reportedly causing an administrative pileup.

To access cash in other ways is also available. There are many lenders willing to give some external funding in the form of loans and overdrafts to use for working capital, purchasing stock, asset buying and corporate finance. However, it is best to try and use your existing lender in the first instance, as you are more likely to get more favourable terms and also a quicker outcome.

Though it is easier said than done, it might be worth taking a step back from your business and perhaps, with an independent financial adviser or accountant, look over your accounts and identify where and when the holes in your cash flow may appear, so you can prepare for the different scenarios.  

Some companies are operating what is known as a “smoothing” exercise with their cash flow. This is where you look at larger monthly payments and see whether you can break them down into more manageable chunks for a short period so that your cash flow is more consistent.

The COVID-19 crisis has shaken the entire business world to its very roots. It has had devastating effects but it is a time to avoid knee-jerk decisions and try and make sensible business decisions that will allow your company to survive the crisis and minimise any long term damage.

Visit the Government Business Support web page (link below) to find out how you can gain financial help during these difficult times.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

The GGF will continue to lobby the Government for more financial support for our industry and will update members on a regular basis.