INTRODUCTION
NACM, along with the majority of organisations, are monitoring the situation closely. The government is regularly updating advice and the latest information can be found in the links below.
It would not be appropriate for NACM to offer public health advice, but we will ensure that relevant links to official advice services are available all in one place.
Any cider maker with specific concerns that are not resolved through these links, should contact us on info@cideruk.com We will do our best to find answers where possible
AIMS
NACM aims to support member companies, the regional associations affiliated to us and the broader cider making and apple growing community during this difficult time. [https://cideruk.com/meet-our-members/]
As more information is shared by the government, regular bulletins are sent out through our usual communications channels and the links below will be updated.
Anyone connected to the cider industry can contact us for additional information at info@cideruk.com.
NACM has canvassed members and the regional associations that we work closely with and has identified key priority areas impacting cider makers. Working across the broader alcohol industry, we continue to discuss these issues with the government.
- Suspending alcohol duty to improve cash flow
- Allowing cider returned from trade to be moved back into duty suspense
- Easing rules for destruction of cider to allow for social distancing
- Easing of 70Hl rules to allow for unsold cider to be carried over into next year
USEFUL LINKS
EAT OUT TO HELP OUT
WHERE TO REGISTER
AVAILABILITY & ISSUES
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
MORE INFORMATION
HOW TO REGISTER
- Note this is an explanation of what you will need to register. The link for registering will be available when the scheme opens on Monday 13 July, which I will circulate.
- Claims must be made by 30 July
HOSPITALITY VAT REDUCTION
GOVERNMENT
HMRC CHANGES TO EXCISE DUTY PAYMENT PROCESS FOR CIDER AND WINE:
Guidance on monthly returns for excise duty have also been updated:
- CIDER https://www.gov.uk/guidance/monthly-returns-for-cider-duty-excise-notice-162a?utm_source=58116dbe-236c-49d1-9f69-a18a2542be5b&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate
- WINE https://www.gov.uk/guidance/monthly-returns-for-wine-duty-notice-163a?utm_source=77645329-d94b-4252-9a52-2d42db9a68db&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate
Rules for destruction of spoilt cider and flavoured cider (made wine)
The government has now confirmed that the relaxation of rules announced for destroying spoilt beer has been extended to cider and made wine.This allows a cider maker to appoint a responsible person, for example the publican, to destroy spoilt cider/flavoured cider on site, whilst ensuring that the audit trail is sufficient to meet the necessary scrutiny. Full details can be found in the links below.
1. Who can be appointed, audit trail, evidence and adjusting monthly returns.
2. Updated Notice 162
3. Updated Notice 163
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SUPPORT WEBSITE – Links to all government support and advice for business.
JOB RETENTION SCHEME – Guidance and portal links:
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wages-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme
BUSINESS INTERRUPTION LOAN SCHEME & BOUNCE BACK LOAN SCHEME
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-coronavirus-business-interruption-loan-scheme
- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/small-businesses-boosted-by-bounce-back-loans
SELF EMPLOYMENT INCOME SUPPORT SCHEME
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme
SAFELY OPERATING/REOPENING BUSINESS
Individual guides for separate business areas, including factories, warehouses, work vehicles plus government plans for rebuilding UK.
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/our-plan-to-rebuild-the-uk-governments-covid-19-recovery-strategy
SUPPORT FOR TRADE CREDIT INSURANCE
- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-support-businesses-through-trade-credit-insurance-guarantee?utm_source=8b939942-aacd-4435-98c6-752bb665de60&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate
TESTING EXTENDING TO KEY WORKERS, INCLUDING FOOD AND DRINK PRODUCERS
- The referral portal is now open https://self-referral.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/
KEEPING EMPLOYEES SAFE
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/guidance-for-employers-and-businesses-on-coronavirus-covid-19
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/social-distancing-in-the-workplace-during-coronavirus-covid-19-sector-guidance
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19?utm_source=33523ea6-0872-47ec-b2dd-ba7522263187&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate
EXCISE DUTY – Guidance due to change in process; HMRC Helpline
HELP TO PAY – HMRC dedicated Covid-19 helpline
OTHER
NFU
Business impact reporting for farmers and growers The NFU is gathering information on the impact of coronavirus on the agricultural and horticultural industries across the UK. Farmers and growers can provide information on any business-critical issues they have encountered, or expect to encounter, which will then be used in an anonymised format to flag the key issues agriculture and horticulture are facing to government on a daily basis. You can provide this information on the NFU website.
FSA
Guidance for Food/Drink Manufacturers https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-food-businesses/guidance-for-food-businesses-on-coronavirus-covid-19
AHDB
Support Page for Farmers and Growers – https://ahdb.org.uk/coronavirus
Hospitality
For cider makers with pub, bar, café or restaurant on site, UK Hospitality has put together a specific Coronavirus page on its website, which offers a good summary of advice and action to date. It also offers a weekly newsletter and/or daily updates for those that wish to sign up: https://www.ukhospitality.org.uk/page/coronavirus
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MARCH UPDATES
Updated 31/03/2020
INDUSTRY PRIORITIES
We are continuing to work alongside the broader alcohol industry to seek a suspension of alcohol duties, as cash flow continues to be the most pressing issue for cider makers.
There are areas where we are seeking additional clarity and these include more information regarding furloughed workers and working, correct calculation for business turnover.
There are some reports of shortages of essential materials from food and drink manufacturers – If anyone is experiencing shortages of PPE or ink for on-line printing, please let us know.
LATEST GOVERNMENT UPDATES
Small Business Grant Fund – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-business-support-grant-funding?utm_source=cb532f53-6d02-4f50-86d3-767af446c7e2&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate
Relaxation of Holiday Rules – workers will be able to spread unused holiday across to financial years – https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rules-on-carrying-over-annual-leave-to-be-relaxed-to-support-key-industries-during-covid-19?utm_source=c6e6eb22-18fd-4e76-9ec9-0eb32c478b5f&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate
Job Retention Scheme – further details.
New guidance on Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been published. In a move that could save businesses an extra £300 a month for each employee under the scheme, the government will now cover the employer national insurance and minimum auto-enrollment pension scheme contributions employers pay on the wages they must pay their furloughed staff – on top of the wages covered under the scheme. Those furloughed can volunteer for the NHS without risking their pay – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme
Competition Law relaxation – https://www.gov.uk/government/news/supermarkets-to-join-forces-to-feed-the-nation
HMRC Tax Rules for working from home – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-which-expenses-are-taxable-if-your-employee-works-from-home-due-to-coronavirus-covid-19
USEFUL LINKS
Further information and advice is available from the government business support site – https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/
Business support measures – https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/
FSA Guidance for Food/Drink Manufacturers – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-food-businesses/guidance-for-food-businesses-on-coronavirus-covid-19
AHDB Support Page for Farmers and Growers – https://ahdb.org.uk/coronavirus
Updated 27 March 2020
ALCOHOL INDUSTRY IS INCLUDED IN KEY WORKER LIST
- It has now been confirmed that alcohol producers, along with other food and drink producers, are listed as key workers.
- It is recommended that employees are provided with a letter from their employer, stating that the named person is a designated key worker according to the latest Government definition and is permitted to travel to their place of work as they cannot work remotely. It should include a site contact number. If stopped by police, this should be shown, along with photo ID, to confirm that their travel is essential.
BUSINESS SUPPORT AND PAYMENTS
HMT have provided a single place with details of all financial support measures recently announced.
These include:
Job Retention Scheme – Summary : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses#support-for-businesses-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme
Full details available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme
Self Employment Support – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme
Support for businesses who qualify for Rural Rate Relief or Small Business Grant Scheme https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses#support-for-businesses-that-pay-little-or-no-business-rates
Business Interruption Scheme https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses#support-for-businesses-through-the-coronavirus-business-interruption-loan-scheme
Larger Business Support https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses#support-for-larger-firms-through-the-covid-19-corporate-financing-facility
Protection for Commercial Tennants – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses#protection-from-eviction-for-commercial-tenants
HMRC Support for Taxes – Time To Pay scheme https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses#support-for-businesses-paying-tax-time-to-pay-service
ADDITIONAL ADVICE
All latest government guidance for businesses can be found here –
Updated 25 March 2020
EXCISE DUTY
We have been asking that excise duty be suspended urgently. HMT have taken the decision not to suspend payments prior to the next beer duty deadline of today.
HMT have advised us that any members struggling to pay their cider duty bills or any other tax amount as a result of covid-19, should contact the HMRC helpline on 0800 0159 559. This is specific to the coronavirus situation and is being prioritised above other lines. After a series of options, users will be offered the opportunity to defer a payment using the Time To Pay (TTP) Service.
They added that there were challenges in contacting and dealing with HMRC last week. However, HMRC have increased resourcing to the coronavirus helpline since the weekend and availability yesterday and today is now good with service levels exceeding 90%. I am told 97% of people contacting the coronavirus helpline today about specialist taxes were able to get through. They encourage members to secure TTP arrangements using the helpline if they need them.
However, as announced at Budget, HMRC will also waive late payment penalties and interest where a business experiences administrative difficulties contacting HMRC or paying taxes due to COVID-19.
IF ANYONE HAS ANY PROBLEMS USING THE ABOVE HELPLINE, PLEASE LET US KNOW SO THAT WE CAN FEED IT INTO HMT URGENTLY.
We will continue to ask that excise duty is suspended ahead of the next round of cider duty payments due w/c 13 April.
SELF EMPLOYED
Ahead of the deadline for evidence for the Treasury Select Committee this week, we submitted evidence for suspending excise duty payments and better support for self employed, solo workers and other issues raised by cider makers. We received the following response:
Thank you for your submission to the Economic impact of the coronavirus inquiry. The Treasury Committee have had an unprecedented response, receiving over 14,000 emails – the majority on 23 March. The Treasury Committee has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, addressing a number of points that were raised in the submissions. This letter has been published on our website https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/158/treasury-committee/news/145725/more-action-needed-to-help-selfemployed-urges-treasury-committee/.
A further announcement is expected in the next 48 hours from the Chancellor.
WORKS CANTEENS
Latest information is:
Where there are no practical alternatives, other workplace canteens can remain open to provide food for their staff and/or provide a space for breaks. However, where possible, staff should be encouraged to bring their own food, and distributors should move to takeaway. Measures should be taken to minimise the number of people in the canteen at any one given time, for example by using a rota. Full guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance
LATEST INFORMATION
Business Closures – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance
Extra protection for businesses with ban on evictions for commercial tenants https://www.gov.uk/government/news/extra-protection-for-businesses-with-ban-on-evictions-for-commercial-tenants-who-miss-rent-payments
COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility – Now open for applications https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/news/2020/march/the-covid-corporate-financing-facility
Apprenticeship programme response – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-apprenticeship-programme-response
Financial assistance for employers unable to pay statutory redundancy payments – https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-covid-19-delivering-our-public-services?utm_source=d29049fa-d414-4c24-8cc2-7df647261069&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=daily
Updated 20 March 2020
Food and Drink Federation (FDF) are actively coordinating feedback for our sector and ensuring that all issues raised are included in ongoing discussions. NACM is feeding in all concerns raised by members and affiliate members. FDF held industry round-table discussions yesterday, which included NACM and were part of the broader business discussions with the Chancellor that took place overnight.
Updated: 19 March 2020
Over the last 48 hours we have spoken to as many members as possible and worked with our affiliate members* to better understand how the financial measures announced on Tuesday (17 March) can support cider makers. It is clear that the majority of the measures are there to support retail and hospitality sectors and whilst many cider makers have some hospitality on site, they are rated as manufacturing so do not qualify for some of the support currently provided by the government. We have therefore written to the Prime Minister today, asking for more support for cider makers. Whilst we welcome the financial aid that has been provided to the hospitality sector, those who supply it will also be heavily impacted and must also be supported. Click here to view more: NACM-Letter-to-PM-on-Coronavirus.pdf
*Working closely with Three Counties Cider & Perry Association; South West of England Cider Association; Welsh Perry and Cider Association
Updated: 18 March 2020
NACM, along with the majority of organisations, is monitoring the situation closely. The government is regularly updating their advice and their latest information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response.
It would not be appropriate for NACM to offer public health advice, but we will ensure that all relevant links to official advice services are available all in one place – see ‘Useful Links’ section below.
Any cider maker with specific concerns that are not resolved through these links, should contact us on info@cideruk.com We will do our best to find answers where possible.
Current Status – The latest advice from the government is as follows:
- Where any individual member of the household displays any of the two symptoms of COVID-19 all members of the household should self isolate for 14 days: – During this time all social contact should be stopped, however where this is not possible i.e. where it is not possible to get help to purchase food or essential supplies social contact should be restricted as much as possible.
- Members of the public who are not demonstrating either of the specified symptoms should also be seeking to stop any non-essential contacts: – People should work from home where possible and should avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other social venues.
Hospitality
For cider makers with pub, bar, café or restaurant on site, UK Hospitality has put together a specific Coronavirus page on its website, which offers a good summary of advice and action to date. It also offers a weekly newsletter and/or daily updates for those that wish to sign up: https://www.ukhospitality.org.uk/page/coronavirus
USEFUL LINKS
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/public-information-campaign-focuses-on-handwashing
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-those-affected-by-covid-19
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-announces-additional-support-to-protect-businesses
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
