British Chancellor Rishi Sunak
British Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled the expansion of the Job Support Scheme, which is a successor to the furlough scheme, saying:
“It will provide a safety net for businesses across the UK who are required to temporarily close their doors, giving them the right support at the right time.”
The government will pay employees who cannot work 67% of their salaries, up to £2,100 a month.
The scheme will come into force on November 1 and run for six months before being reviewed.
Employees must be off work for a minimum of seven days to be eligible.
The Treasury says the devolved administrations in the North of Ireland, Scotland and Wales will receive increased funding allowing them to bring in similar measures if they choose to.
Administrations in the North of Ireland, Wales and Scotland could now introduce ‘circuit breaker’ lockdowns to stop the spread of the Coronavirus in hotspot areas without implementing a full lockdown similar to the one imposed at the end of March.
The chancellor added: “Throughout the crisis the driving force of our economic policy has not changed.
“I have always said that we will do whatever is necessary to protect jobs and livelihoods as the situation evolves.”
Labour’s shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds said Mr Sunak’s “delay in delivering support has caused unnecessary anxiety and job losses”.
Regional leaders have called for more help for struggling firms.
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