The government announced (on 9 October) an expansion of the Job Support Scheme, to provide temporary support to businesses whose premises have been legally required to close as a direct result of coronavirus restrictions.
Under this expansion, affected businesses will receive grants towards the wages of employees who have been instructed to and cease work. This will cover businesses that, as a result of restrictions set by one or more of the four governments of the UK, are legally required to close their premises, or to provide only delivery and collection services from their premises.
The government will pay two thirds of employees’ wages, up to a maximum of £2,100 per month. Employers will not be required to contribute towards wages, but do need to cover employer National Insurance and pension contributions.
You can apply for the Job Support Scheme and the new expansion even if you haven’t previously used the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). Job Support Scheme is available for six months, from 1 November, with payment of grants in arrears from early December. The scheme will be reviewed in January.
Search ‘Job Support Scheme expanded to firms required to close due to Covid Restrictions’ and ‘Job Support Scheme factsheet’ on GOV.UK for more details. Further information will be published in the coming weeks.