Business grants and support

Currently, there are no grant schemes being administered by Brent Council. If any funding for grants does become available in the future, these schemes will be advertised on this webpage and through our business e-newsletter.

However, there are a range of financing and funding opportunities with external organisations to help support your business.

If you are thinking of a loan, you will need to consider if you are eligible, how much you need to borrow and the repayment terms. Government backed loans are designed to help businesses to grow. They can be easier to access and to repay.

If you are thinking of a grant, you also still need to check whether you are eligible as they often come with a criterion and may require you to submit evidence with your application. With grants, you won’t need to pay them back however there may be some requirements that you need to follow once you have received the grant.

• Government-backed support and finance - find government-backed support and finance for business.
• Start Up Loans - Government scheme providing funding and support for individuals looking to start or grow a business in the UK.
• Better Business Finance - information about how to secure finance and the options available to you.
• Open4Community - Government and other funding schemes available to community and voluntary organisations in Brent.
• Culture and Community Spaces at Risk resources – List of funding opportunities available to organisations and businesses in the creative, cultural and community sectors from City Hall and external organisations

You can also contact the government’s Business Support Helpline for free advice through calls, email or on webchat.

VAT and Income Tax payment and support

Get support if you can’t pay your tax bills

All businesses and self-employed people in financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities, may be eligible to receive support with their tax affairs through HMRC’s Time To Pay service. Call HMRC’s helpline: Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm on 0800 024 1222.

HMRC also has a self-assessment Payment Helpline, available Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm on 0300 200 3822.

National restrictions, including face coverings, NHS COVID passes and work from home guidance, have been lifted.

• It is no longer a legal requirement to wear a face covering. However, we encourage that you continue to wear face coverings in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with people you do not normally meet. It is up to individual businesses whether they continue to ask customers to continue wearing face coverings, unless they are exempt or have a reasonable excuse. For example, some supermarkets have asked that customers continue to wear face coverings in their stores if they are able to.
• Venues and events are no longer required by law to check visitors’ NHS COVID pass. The NHS COVID pass can still be used on a voluntary basis.
• People are no longer required to work from home.

Read further guidance for businesses and venues on GOV.UK

From 24 March 2022, The Government will remove the COVID -19 Provision with the Statutory Sick Pay and Employment and Support Allowance regulations.

From 1 April 2022, the requirement for employers to consider COVID -19 health and safety in their risk assessment will be removed.

Read the full Living with COVID -19 plan here COVID-19 Response: Living with COVID-19 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Guidance for employers and businesses

Risk assessment

Businesses have a legal duty to manage health and safety risks. This can be done through a health and safety risk assessment that includes the risk of COVID-19 and what you have done to reduce this risk. You can use the ‘Working Safely during coronavirus’ guides to help understand what actions your business can take to protect yourself, your staff and your customers from COVID-19. 

If you have fewer than 5 workers, or are self-employed, you don’t have to write anything down as part of your risk assessment.

There are resources to help you with your risk assessment from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). 

If you have any questions about the working safely government guidelines please direct these to HSE Covid-19 enquiries on 0300 790 6787 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 8pm) or via their working safely enquiry form.

Coronavirus disinfection service for businesses

Help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by booking a deep clean service with our experienced Hygiene Services and Pest Control team.