February 2021

FEBRUARY 2021 AFTERMARKET 47 www.aftermarketonline.net of LKQ Euro Car Parts and Neil Croxson from The Parts Alliance, can be viewed or downloaded from the OESAA website at www.oe - suppliers.org/ 13 November: Business as usual for BM Catalysts BM Catalysts was the latest aftermarket name to reassure its customers that normal service would continue through lockdown 2.0 In a statement, the company said: “It is still business as usual at BM Catalysts. The team has implemented strict procedures and systems to ensure we can continue trading as normal, in the safest way possible, while adhering to government guidelines. “We know that availability is key, particularly during this unpredictable time, and therefore production continues to run at full speed and remains as strong as ever. We’re also actively recruiting to expand production capacity to ensure we can continue to meet demand. Our products are ready for immediate dispatch and our delivery partners continue to work hard to ensure our parts arrive as quickly and efficiently as possible given the current circumstances.” 18 November: OSRAM/The Parts Alliance offer help OSRAM recently supplied the NEXUS N!UNITED initiative with 1,000 complimentary bottles of hand sanitizer via The Parts Alliance, to send out to their network of branches. From there, the bottles will then be distributed to Servicesure Autocentre members throughout the UK. Bartley Garage, based in Southampton, was the first to receive the complimentary sanitizer. Dermot Dromey, owner of Bartley Garage, commented: “Not only will it maximise the health and safety of the team and customers, but it also offers reassurance that we’re doing all we can to get drivers back on the road as safely as possible.” Launched in April, the NEXUS N!UNITED initiative is aimed at helping and supporting international regions most affected by COVID-19 through the donations of surgical masks, hand sanitizer and other medical devices. Thanks to the collaboration of the N! Community, the N!UNITED initiative has already helped to secure hospitals and workshops in Italy, Spain, Brazil, Lebanon,Ukraine and Poland, as well as here in the UK. 7 December: Furlough goes on and loans extended The Furlough was extended for an extra month, and businesses were given an extra two months to access the government’s business loan schemes. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak opted to continue the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme until 30 April 2021. It had been due to come to an end on 31 March, having already been extended from an earlier 1 December 2020 cut-off. The Furlough will remain at 80% of usual wages, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month. Commenting on the move, he said: “We will continue to pay 80% towards wages of unworked hours, giving businesses and employees across the UK certainty into the New Year.” The Chancellor also revealed that 3 March will be the date of his first Budget, which point he will lay out his plan to deal with the impact of Coronavirus and move the economy forward. Meanwhile, the deadline for businesses to access the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, and the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme was also extended. This moved from 31 January 2021 to 31 March, adding two months. Commenting on this extension, Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “Extending government- backed loan schemes will give companies right across the UK the finance they need to support, protect and create jobs as we build back better from the pandemic.” 5 January: Further business support Further financial support for businesses was unveiled by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, hot on the heels of the imposition of a third national lockdown for England by Prime Minister Boris Johnson the previous night (Monday 4 January). While garages can remain open as before, many hospitality and non- essential retail businesses have been forced to close again. With this in mind, £4.6 billion in grants was being made available, with individual firms eligible to take up to £9,000 each. Commenting on the additional grants, the Chancellor commented: "This will help businesses to get through the months ahead – and crucially it will help sustain jobs, so workers can be ready to return when they are able to reopen." Across the UK, Scotland and Northern Ireland have also entered national lockdowns, while Wales’ pre- existing restrictions continue.