27 November

1 December

2 December

14 December

15 December

16 December

17 December

Department for Business , Energy & Industrial Strategy announces EU Transition Business Readiness Programme

The Swindon and Wiltshire Growth Hub ’ s Peer Networks programme hosts first cohort session

Lockdown 2 comes to an end and is replaced by a strengthened three-tier system ( Wiltshire placed in Tier 2 )

2021

New strain of Coronavirus identified in southern England

EU Transition Programme gets underway in partnership with Inspire , Business West and The Export Department

Growth Hub mobilises four Business Navigators to deliver EU Transition Support , a programme to complete in March 2021

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme extended until 30th April 2021

19 December

30 December

4 January

5 January

10 January

28 February

The Prime Minister cancels Christmas for almost 18 million people across London and eastern and south-east England by moving them into a newly created Tier 4 for two weeks after scientists warn of the rapid spread of the new variant . In the rest of England , the planned Christmas easing of restrictions – allowing three households to meet over the festive period – is severely curtailed to apply to Christmas Day only

It is announced that an additional 20 million people in England will move to the tightest restrictions , making a total of 44 million in Tier 4 , or 78 % of the population

Vaccination rollout begins in the UK

Third National Lockdown for England with schools shut to most students and people urged to stay at home to prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed by surging Coronavirus infections

This Way Up programme smashes targets , engaging 2,484 participants

The number of people receiving a first COVID vaccine passes 20 million

3 March

30 March

31 March

31 March

12 April

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme extended until 30th September 2021

The stay-at-home order for England comes to an end , as two households or six people are allowed to meet outside . Weddings with up to six people are also permitted again

SME Competitiveness Programme reached 120 Growth Hub referrals for startup provision , 28 into scale-up and 60 businesses in receipt of ongoing support from the Growth Hub Business Navigator team

1,800 Growth Hub Community Members reached

COVID rules are eased across the UK and in all of the Home Nations , with changes including the reopening of non-essential retail . Hospitality venues can serve people outdoors only . Funerals continue with up to 30 people , and the numbers to attend weddings , receptions and commemorative events such as wakes rises to 15 ( from 6 )