News Report by Kamal Prabhakar UK Corrospondent from London :

New support schemes announced by government to help businesses & self employed:

One-off top up grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses that have now closed will be worth up to £9,000 per property, to help these operations through the winter lockdown.
These will be granted to closed businesses as follows:

£4,000 for businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 or under

£6,000 for businesses with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000

£9,000 for businesses with a rateable value of over £51,000

Furlough scheme will continue until the end of April.

Retail businesses continue to have 100% business rates relief.

Existing government-backed loans are extended until March.

To check what financial support available, use this link:

https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder?priority-taxon=774cee22-d896-44c1-a611-e3109cce8eae