Coronavirus: additional schemes and updates

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has vowed to “go further” as he announced the government’s latest Plan for Jobs: three new measures to help workers and businesses get through lower demand over the winter due to a coronavirus second spike. The most significant announcements concern the Job Support Scheme (JSS), which will be made up of two parts: JSS Open and JSS Closed. Both will start on 1 November, the day after the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) finishes, and run for six months.

JSS Open

JSS Open will provide support to businesses that are open where employees are working shorter hours due to reduced demand.

  • Employees will need to work at least 20% of their usual hours and employers will continue to pay employees for the hours they work.
  • For the hours not worked:
    • The UK government will pay a contribution of 61.67% of the usual pay, up to a maximum of £1,541.75 per month.
    • Employers will pay 5% of the usual pay, up to a maximum of £125 per month, and can top this up further if they choose.
    • Employees should receive at least two thirds of their usual pay for hours not worked, where they earn £3,125 a month or less.
  • Employers will need to cover all employer National Insurance and pension contributions.

When JSS was originally announced, the government’s and the employer contribution to wage costs was to be one third each of the hours not worked.

JSS Closed

JSS Closed will provide support to businesses whose premises are legally required to close as a direct result of coronavirus restrictions set by one of the four governments of the UK. This includes premises restricted to delivery or collection-only services from their premises, and those restricted to providing food and/or drinks outdoors.

For JSS Closed, the UK government will fund two thirds of employees’ usual wages for time not worked, up to a maximum of £2,083.33 per month. Employers will not be required to contribute, but they can top up the government’s contribution if they choose to. Employers will still need to cover all employer National Insurance and pension contributions.

Self-employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) Grant Expansion

It was previously announced that SEISS would cover 20% of monthly profits for the period from November 2020 to January 2021, capped at £1,875 in total. The UK government is now doubling the value of the first grant to 40% of three months’ average trading profits, paid out in a single instalment, and capped at £3,750. HMRC will provide full details about claiming and applications in mid-November. The second grant will cover a three-month period from the start of February until the end of April. The government will review the level of the second grant and set this in due course.

Grants for businesses in Tier 2 and Tier 3 Areas

Businesses in England in Very High alert level areas (Tier 3) will now be able to claim grants, regardless of whether they are legally required to close or remain open. The grant will be:

  • £1,300 per month for businesses occupying a property with a rateable value of less than £15,000
  • £2,000 per month for businesses occupying a property with a rateable value of less than £51,000 or occupying a property or part of a property with annual rent or mortgage payments of less than £51,000
  • £3,000 per month for businesses occupying larger properties

Hospitality, hotel, B&B and leisure businesses in England in High alert level areas (Tier 2) will now also be able to claim grants. The grant will be:

  • £934 per month for businesses occupying a property with a rateable value of less than £15,000
  • £1,400 per month for businesses occupying a property with a rateable value of less than £51,000
  • £2,100 per month for businesses occupying a property with a rateable value of greater than £51,000

Businesses in other sectors may also be eligible at the local authority’s discretion and we urge our clients to maintain communication with their local authority where possible, as discretionary grants are often made available at short-notice.

Businesses in any area which has been under enhanced restrictions can backdate their grants to August.

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