UK Covid LIVE: PM to announce on Monday if lockdown can lift on July 5 as Hancock says data ‘looking encouraging’

 With everyone hoping that Freedom Day is not far away, an announcement from Boris Johnson on Monday will determine if the final restrictions can be lifted earlier than the pushed back date of 19th July.

 For the full story, click here.

How to win a £25,000 Business Boost grant for your small firm

Simply Business has launched a £25,000 Business Boost grant for 2021. This grant competition could help you start or grow your small business.

To enter, you’ll need to fill out a form on the competition website detailing why you think you deserve the grant. Judges will be focusing on:

  • Your story
  • A big dream
  • Positive social impact
  • Innovation

Terms – You must not have a turnover of over £500,000 or received and private grants exceeding £50,000.

The closing date for this competition is September 17, 2021.

For more information click here. 

Brexit puts more than third of UK small businesses at risk of closure

More than two fifths of UK SMEs claim that Brexit will or already has resulted in redundancies.

With the new rules impacting many small businesses, the government has announced a grant of up to £2,000 for training and professional advice relating to imports and exports. This scheme however is not widely known by small business! If you know anyone with a small business make sure to let them know.

SME Brexit Support Fund – Click here.

Applications will close on 30 June 2021 or earlier if all funding is allocated before this date.

SME are the lifeline of the UK economy, so providing support in these confusing times is needed right now.

For the full story, click here. 

HSBC offers sub-1% mortgage as interest rate war intensifies

HSBC are the latest bank to offer a mortgage deal with an interest rate less than 1%. This comes as banks are fighting for customers, with the stamp duty combined with big deposits saved during the Covid lockdown demand for mortgages are high.

HSBC suggests if you are looking to get onto the property ladder then now is the perfect time with the lowest rate offered for a while.

For the full story, click here. 

Act now to save your cash from inflation by DITCHING easy-access accounts paying terrible rates

Many savers are being urged to act to safeguard their money from inflation. Last week it emerged that inflation, the rate at which prices are increasing, had soared to 2.1 per cent — up from 0.5 per cent this time last year.

This means that anyone with large amounts of money held in easy-access accounts will lose out.

High inflation rates means that the value of your money saved is can be falling faster than the any interest you’re making on it. Top Tip – Take the time to look around for the best interest rates before committing to one bank.

For the full story, click here.