Will I now pay less stamp duty? And other questions
The chancellor has announced changes stamp duty, VAT, eating out and the furlough scheme.
So, how could you be affected?
Questions and answers
Latest questions
Your questions
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Yes, you will not pay stamp duty for the portion under £500,000. The portion between £500,001 and £585,000 will still be taxed at 5%.
So, overall the bill will be cheaper under this temporary policy, as it will for many people buying in more expensive areas.
The idea is to get the whole housing chain moving. But questions have been raised because buyers of even the most expensive properties will benefit.
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Anyone buying through shared ownership effectively buys the property in stages, and often pays stamp duty in stages.
However, you do have the option to pay stamp duty in full up-front, based on the market value of the property, so in your case that would benefit from the temporary stamp duty holiday.
It is a choice for you.
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The government plans to put a list of participating restaurants, cafes and pubs on its website.
Businesses are also likely to let customers know via their websites, social media and email.
Those that want to take part in the scheme can register from Monday 13 July.
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Providers will probably not refund people who have already booked and paid, as the price was agreed at the time of sale.
Accountants say there may be some flexibility, but that will depend on the fine print of the policy, which we have yet to see.
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Some small businesses pay VAT at a flat rate as part of schemes to reduce administration.
In guidance from HM Revenue and Customs, it says that some of these will be reduced to reflect the new temporary lower rate elsewhere.
End of Latest questions
Support bubbles
Your questions
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If you and your boyfriend both live alone and in England, the good news is that from 13 June, you can form a support bubble, which means that you can spend as much as time as you want in each other’s company, inside or outside a house. You don’t have to keep a 2m distance from one another, and you can stay overnight at each other’s house.
If you are living alone, and your partner is in a shared household (or vice versa), matters get complicated. You can still form a support bubble with your boyfriend but it will also be with his household, and it would be the only bubble allowed to that household.
What this means is that if one of your boyfriend’s housemates has a partner who is – like you – living elsewhere and alone, that couple will be prevented from meeting up.
Support bubbles are for the benefit of people who are living alone (or alone with children). If both you and your boyfriend are living in shared households, you are not allowed to form one and you are restricted to meeting outdoors and at a distance of 2m from each other.
You cannot form a support bubble with your boyfriend if he lives in Scotland or Wales, although Northern Ireland has announced that it is also introducing support bubbles from 13 June..
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If you’re clinically vulnerable and shielding, and you’re living alone (or you’re a single parent with children under 18), then from 6 July in England and Northern Ireland, you will be able to form a “support bubble” with one other household.
This means you’ll be able to spend time in their house, and they’ll be able to spend time in yours, and you won’t need to keep a distance from one another. It also means you can sleep over at each other’s home.
People who are vulnerable and shielding in Scotland and Wales are not yet allowed to form a support bubble and are advised to keep a social distance of 2m from other people wherever possible. From 1 August in England, shielding is to be suspended.
End of Support bubbles
All about coronavirus
Your questions
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Coronavirus is an infectious disease discovered in China in December 2019. Its more precise name is Covid-19.
There are actually hundreds of coronaviruses – most of which circulate among animals, including pigs, camels, bats and cats. But there are a few – such as Covid-19 – that infect humans.
Some coronaviruses cause mild to moderate illnesses, such as the common cold. Covid-19 is among those that can lead to more serious illnesses such as pneumonia.
Most infected people will have only mild symptoms – perhaps a fever, aching limbs a cough, and loss of taste or smell – and will recover without special treatment.
But some older people, and those with underlying medical problems such as heart disease, diabetes, or cancer are at greater risk of becoming seriously unwell.
The NHS has more about symptoms.
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When people recover from an infection, their body is left with some memory of how to fight it should they encounter it again. This immunity is not always long-lasting or totally efficient, however, and can decrease over time.
It is unclear, though, if people who have recovered from coronavirus will be able to get it again.
University of Oxford’s Prof Sarah Gilbert, who is working on creating a vaccine for Covid-19, says that it “probably is likely” that an infected person will be able to be reinfected in the future.
The UK government views antibody tests – which can show if a person has had Covid-19 – as central to its plans to end the current lockdown and allow people to return to work.
But the World Health Organization has said that there is no evidence that antibody tests can show that a person has immunity or is protected against reinfection.
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Scientists have said that the “incubation period” – the time between catching the virus and starting to show symptoms – is five days on average. However, some people can have symptoms earlier or much later than this.
The World Health Organization advises that the incubation period can last up to 14 days. But some researchers say it may be up to 24 days.
Knowing and understanding the incubation period is very important. It allows doctors and health authorities to introduce more effective ways to control the spread of the virus.
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Both viruses are highly contagious.
On average, it’s thought people with the coronavirus infect two to three other people, while those with flu pass it on to about one other person.
There are simple steps you can take to stop the spread of flu and coronavirus:
If you have returned from holiday abroad and have to self-isolate in quarantine, you will not automatically qualify for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), so it’s possible you might have to make arrangements with your employer if you cannot work from home.
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For four out of five people Covid-19 will be a mild disease, a bit like flu.
Symptoms include [fever, a dry cough or loss of smell and taste(https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51048366)
If the virus gets well established in the lungs it can cause breathing difficulties and pneumonia. About one in seven people may need hospital treatment.
Recovery time will depend on how sick you became in the first place. Some people will shrug off the illness quickly, but for others the path to full health could take months, and leave lasting problems.
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Diabetics are not included in the list of people at highest risk who should shield at home. However, some may be advised to shield if they suffer from a combination of factors, such as heart disease or obesity, as well as diabetes – which put them at much higher risk of complications.
A third of virus deaths in England from 1 March to 11 May were linked to diabetes, but research suggests the threat for those under 40 with type 1 (insulin-dependent) or type 2 diabetes is still very low.
Age remains the strongest risk factor for becoming severely or fatally ill with coronavirus, say experts.
Diabetes UK advises anyone with diabetes to try their best to manage their condition carefully, keeping their blood sugar in range as much as possible, as well as following social distancing measures.
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Asthma UK’s advice is to keep taking your daily preventer inhaler (usually brown) as prescribed. This will help cut the risk of an asthma attack being triggered by any respiratory virus, including coronavirus.
Carry your blue reliever inhaler with you every day, in case you feel your asthma symptoms flaring up. If your asthma is getting worse and there is a risk you might have coronavirus, contact the online NHS 111 coronavirus service.
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Coronavirus can be more severe in older people and those with pre-existing conditions such as heart and lung illnesses, or diabetes.
There is no evidence that disabled people who are otherwise healthy – and who don’t, for instance, have respiratory problems – are at greater risk from coronavirus.
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Covid-19 can, in a small number of cases, lead to pneumonia, most notably in people with pre-existing lung conditions.
But as this is a new virus, no-one will have any immunity to it, whether they have previously had pneumonia, or any other form of coronavirus such as Sars.
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End of All about coronavirus
Protecting myself and others
Your questions
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Yes. According to the advice from Public Health England, a scarf or a bandana tied around your head is fine.
The important thing is that it covers both your mouth and your nose – and that you can breathe easily.
Whether you are wearing a scarf or a homemade mask, the advice is that you should continue to maintain other hygiene measures. So wash your hands, or use hand sanitiser before you put your face covering on and off, and don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth at all.
Wash the face coverings after each time you use them (for this reason it might be worth avoiding textiles which need special care, such as wool or silk) and keep the used face coverings in a plastic bag until you can wash them.
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Quarantining cities and telling people to stay at home may seem extreme, but the alternative is to let the virus spread unrestrained.
There is no vaccine for this new virus, as there is for flu, which makes elderly people and those with underlying health conditions very vulnerable to its effects.
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If you’re living with someone who’s self-isolating, you should keep all contact to a minimum and, if possible, not be in the same room together.
The person self-isolating should stay in a well-ventilated room with a window that can be opened, and keep away from other people in the house.
If you live with someone who has symptoms, you’ll also need to self-isolate for 14 days from the day their symptoms started – this is how long it can take for symptoms to appear.
If you get symptoms, self-isolate for seven days from when your symptoms start, even if it means you’re self-isolating for longer than 14 days. If you do not get symptoms, you can stop self-isolating after 14 days.
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End of Protecting myself and others
Me and my family
Your questions
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Pregnant women are being advised by the UK government to stay at home and keep contact with others to a minimum. However, they should attend antenatal clinics as normal.
There is no evidence to suggest that pregnant women are more likely to get coronavirus. But, for a small number of women, being pregnant may change the way their body deals with a severe viral infection.
The government’s chief medical adviser says this is a precautionary measure until scientists find out more about the virus and that «infections and pregnancy are not a good combination in general”.
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Mothers pass on protection from infection to their babies through their breast milk.
If your body is producing antibodies to fight the infection, these would be passed on through breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding mums should follow the same advice as anyone else over reducing risk – cover your mouth when you sneeze and cough, throw away used tissues straight away and wash hands frequently, while trying to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
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In general, children appear to be relatively unaffected by coronavirus, according to data from China and other countries.
This may be because they are able to shake off the infection or have no symptoms or only very mild ones similar to a cold.
However, children with underlying lung problems, such as asthma, may have to be more careful.
All schools in the UK are currently closed, except for vulnerable pupils or children of key workers.
End of Me and my family
Leaving the house
Your questions
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It depends on a number of factors.
«Typical» business trips to Germany are not currently permitted except to workers carrying out «essential functions» such as healthcare. A certificate from your employer to that effect will be needed if that is the case.
With the introduction of quarantine restrictions at UK borders, returning to the UK is not as straightforward.
Anyone entering the UK has to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival. There are a number of exemptions to this rule, including UK residents who ordinarily travel overseas at least once a week for work.
End of Leaving the house
My finances
Your questions
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People affected by coronavirus will be able to delay their mortgage payments for up to three months.
It is important to bear in mind that any interest and capital repayments which are missed, will be added to the mortgage balance.
This means that any future monthly mortgage bills are likely to be slightly higher.
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Energy companies have promised to help you if you have a pre-payment meter. So you may be able to authorise a friend to top up your energy card for you.
You could also ask your supplier to send you a card by post which is already topped up. The government says that if it’s urgent the supplier should be able to add credit directly to your account. You should be able to top up online as well.
And you will have to pay back any credit your supplier gives you. So you should contact them to ask about when and how to do this.
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End of My finances
Work issues
Your questions
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Self-employed people who have symptoms or have been told to self-isolate may apply for two benefits – universal credit or employment and support allowance.
Normally, you would be eligible after four days of being ill. However, the government has responded to the spread of coronavirus by saying that companies will temporarily pay SSP from the first day off.
But charities are worried that there is still a five-week delay before universal credit is paid.
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Anyone aged 18 or above can apply for universal credit if they live in the UK and are on a low income or out of work.
Students in full-time education aren’t usually eligible for universal credit, but they can make a claim if they do not have any parental support, are responsible for a child or are in a couple with a partner who is eligible for universal credit.
People aged 16 or 17 can also apply for universal credit if they do not have any parental support, are responsible for a child, caring for a disabled person or cannot work.
You can use the government’s benefits calculator to find out how much you may be entitled to.
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End of Work issues
Back to school
Your questions
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The government says that this plan is still on course.
At the beginning of lockdown, the government promised to provide laptops and tablets for disadvantaged children and young people, so that they would not fall behind in online learning organised by their schools.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson told MPs on the Education Select Committee that 200,000 laptops would be delivered, some at the end of May, but most of them in June.
On 9 June Mr Williamson told the House of Commons that 100,000 laptops had been distributed, prioritising children who have social workers, and that the government was on schedule to distribute all the computers over the coming month.
However, he faced criticism from the opposition that the roll-out was taking too long. Labour MP Meg Hillier said that it was “already late for vulnerable pupils, and with no clear plan about catch-up”.
Separate schemes to provide vulnerable children and adults with laptops have been announced in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
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Although the government has changed its advice on the use of face coverings in public places, it still recommends that face masks or face coverings should not be worn in schools.
It adds that face coverings should not be worn in any circumstances by those who are not able to handle them properly (for example, small children or those with special educational needs or disabilities), as they may “inadvertently increase the risk of transmission”.
Trish Greenhalgh, professor of primary care health sciences at the University of Oxford, told the Times Educational Supplement that face coverings could also have a bad effect on the mental health of some children: “If compulsory masking is going to tip some kids into a bad space after weeks of stressful lockdown, we need to balance that risk with the potential benefits.”
Meanwhile, other countries have taken different approaches when reopening schools. In France, for example, face masks are compulsory for teachers and pupils aged 11 and over, but they are not worn in Denmark.
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There are no current plans to open schools for most pupils during the summer holidays, but the situation varies across the UK.
In England, some Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 children have gone back, but the government has dropped plans for all primary school pupils to return before the summer.
Similarly, some Year 10 and Year 12 students in England will go back from 15 June, but the government has confirmed that secondary schools may not fully reopen until September «at the earliest».
Schools in Wales will reopen from 29 June for all age groups, but only a third of pupils will be in class at any one time. The summer term has been extended by a week to 27 July, and the autumn half-term holiday will be stretched to two weeks.
Schools in Scotland and Northern Ireland won’t be returning until after the summer holidays in August.
Across the UK, some vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers have been in school throughout the crisis, including during the Easter holidays, but it is not yet clear whether that provision will continue over the summer break.
End of Back to school
Student issues
Your questions
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Ultimately this is a personal decision, but it echoes what a lot of students are thinking right now.
A recent survey of students applying for undergraduate places found that more than one in five were considering deferring for a year if universities were not going to operate normally.
University campuses have been closed this term by the Covid-19 outbreak and there is no guarantee how far they will open in the autumn. The University of Cambridge has said it will have no face-to-face lectures in the next academic year, and the University of Manchester has said that, to begin with, its lectures will be taking place online only. Other universities are considering a delay to the start of the academic year.
Before you make a firm choice, the higher education watchdog, Office for Students, says your university should give you “absolute clarity” on whether courses will be online, on-campus or a mixture. And if the information isn’t available next month it must be provided before clearing in August.
Once you have all the information, you need to weigh up what’s important to you. Bear in mind the universities minister says you’ll have to pay full fees even if you’re learning online – but if you are offered distance learning you could potentially save on accommodation and other living expenses.
Also, if your university can offer a campus experience, access to facilities like libraries, bars and cafes is likely to be limited – so student life could be very different to normal.
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The Department for Education has indicated that it is possible for students to get their fees back.
In a statement, it said that if universities are “unable to facilitate adequate online tuition then it would be unacceptable for students to be charged for any additional terms”.
To claim a refund, students first need to complain directly to their university. If that is unsuccessful then students in England or Wales can lodge an appeal with the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA).
If your university is in Scotland then it’s the SPSO (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman) and for Northern Ireland, you go to the NIPSO (Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman). Students will need a “completions procedure form” from their university in order to file an appeal.
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Most students have gone home to self-isolate, leaving their student properties empty but they still have to pay rent.
If you’re worried about paying rent for an empty student property, first of all check your tenancy agreement. Some contracts will have a “break clause” which will allow you to cancel your lease early if you give your landlord enough notice.
If you don’t have a “break clause”, you can always speak to your landlord and ask for a “reduced payment plan”. This could mean you pay less rent each month.
End of Student issues
Life after lockdown
Your questions
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It is a good question. Indoor gyms are obviously good for health and wellbeing, but there’s concern Covid-19 transmission will be more difficult to control in them because of the physical exertion by gym-goers, the damp conditions in changing rooms and the fact that social distancing is generally less easy.
The government hopes indoor gyms, swimming pools and spas – so called “close proximity” venues – can reopen in England later in July. But PM Boris Johnson says outdoor gyms and playgrounds can reopen from Saturday 4 July.
In Northern Ireland, indoor gyms will reopen on 10 July. In Scotland, gyms will only reopen in Phase Three of the country’s Covid route map – which is not expected until mid-August. No date has been set for the reopening of indoor gyms in Wales.
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In England, 4 July marks the date when two households of any size can meet up indoors. This can be at one another’s home, or else in shared accommodation away from home.
In addition, 4 July is also the day from which people in England can start to take holidays away from home, at hotels, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation.
Government guidance states that the holidaymakers should “take particular care to maintain excellent hygiene – washing hands and surfaces – and avoid using shared facilities like bathrooms wherever possible”.
It also advises that you should not share private swimming pools with anyone outside your household or support bubble, nor should you share a paddling pool or any sort of garden equipment, which would appear to include hot tubs.
Self-catering holiday accommodation is now open in Scotland and Northern Ireland but two households are not allowed to share. Holidaying in Scotland and Wales is not yet allowed but that is expected to change in July.
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Lockdown is essentially a blunt tool. With the testing and tracing system now in place, the idea is to be much more forensic in trying to contain the virus.
The government now has the capacity to carry out 200,000 tests a day – in March it was only a few thousand. We now have an extensive network of contact tracers.
On top of this, social distancing continues and lots of measures – like face coverings, and screens in shops – will limit the spread of the virus. So the picture is significantly different from how it was in March.
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Places of worship in England – which have been open for private prayer since 13 June – will be open for services from 4 July, including weddings with up to 30 guests. But not all are likely to open immediately.
The Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church both say they will publish guidance shortly on how services will be conducted while maintaining social distancing and avoiding unnecessary risk.
Jewish reaction – both liberal and orthodox – has been cautious. The chief rabbi said that reopening was not a single event, “but rather a cautious, phased process” that would take place over the course of months.
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has issued guidance for the reopening of mosques, but has warned that it will be a gradual process – “mosque leaders must carefully plan and decide when they feel they can put the required controls in place to reopen in the safest way possible,” said Harun Khan, Secretary General of the MCB.
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The Ministry of Justice has not given a date for the resumption of visits. It says the measures are temporary, and that the restrictions will be reviewed at some point, taking into account public health advice.
Prison visits were suspended at the beginning of the lockdown in March. Since then, relatives and friends have had the option of writing to inmates, or sending an email to the prison, which is then printed out and passed on.
As a temporary measure, secure phone handsets have been given to pre-approved prisoners at 55 prisons, allowing them to speak to a small number of pre-authorised contacts.
The Church of England says that it does not expect to resume normal services before the end of the year, although the approach would vary on a regional basis.
The Rt Rev Sarah Mullally, who’s leading the Church’s plans for reopening, says questions remain about various aspects of worship including sharing hymn books, distancing within the church buildings, and Holy Communion.
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Research conducted by the Resolution Foundation has found that the coronavirus pandemic could increase youth unemployment by 600,000 this year.
If you’re worried about finding a job you can head to the National Careers Service for advice on how to find job vacancies.
You can also search online for virtual job fairs. This could help you explore different job opportunities and connect with potential employers directly from home.
Experts recommend using lockdown to refresh your CV and also look for any online training opportunities which might put you in a better position when you eventually apply for a job.
End of Life after lockdown
Testing, tracking and tracing
Your questions
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No. The tracers will be interested in anybody who has had close contact with a person who has tested positive.
Close contact means being less than 1m (3ft) from somebody at any point, or between 1m and 2m away for more than 15 minutes.
You shouldn’t be that close to a delivery driver.
There is a small potential risk of contamination if the food or packaging has been handled by someone who has tested positive.
Online shopping customers are therefore generally advised to leave packaged goods for 72 hours if possible before handling them, or to spray and wipe plastic or glass containers with diluted bleach.
Unwrapped fresh goods should be washed under running water and left to dry.
End of Testing, tracking and tracing
Quarantine
Your questions
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The short answer to this is no.
It’s true that you don’t have to go into quarantine if you’re returning to the UK from what’s known as the Common Travel Area (CTA) – Ireland, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
When the government first announced its plans, there was some speculation that to avoid quarantine, travellers from other countries would be able to fly into an airport in the CTA, and then on to the UK and so avoid having to self-isolate.
However, this loophole (termed by some the «Dublin dodge») has now been closed by the government. Travellers will only be exempt from quarantine if they have been in the CTA for 14 days or more.
You will have to show proof of when you entered the CTA, and how long you have spent there – such as a boarding pass or itinerary – when you enter the UK.
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Key workers will not necessarily be exempt.
The government has published a detailed list of who will not need to follow the quarantine rules. Among others, it includes road haulage and freight workers, medical and care professionals providing essential health care, some seasonal agricultural workers, Eurostar and Eurotunnel employees, pilots and aircrew and people working to maintain key infrastructure such as the railways.
It also depends where you are going in the UK – some employees will be exempt from quarantine in England and Wales, but not Scotland.
The government guidance details what you’ll need to show when you enter the UK to prove you are exempt. This differs between categories but typically includes proof of your name and address, the name of your employer and what work you’ll be doing.
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End of Quarantine
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