Job Support Scheme expanded

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has revealed that the Job Support Scheme will be expanded to include support for UK businesses that are legally required to close as a result of coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions.

The Job Support Scheme, which is due to start on 1st November and will run for six months, was originally designed to provide support for businesses with employees whose hours are reduced as a result of decreased demand.

The expansion of the Job Support Scheme means that it will also provide support for businesses that are forced to close as a result of coronavirus restrictions. Under this additional element of the scheme, the government will pay two-thirds of each eligible employee’s salary, capped at £2,100 per employee per month.

The Job Support Scheme factsheet states that employers will not be required to make further contributions to employees’ wages but can top them up if they wish to do so. Employers will continue to be required to pay employer National Insurance contributions and auto-enrolment pension contributions in full, where applicable.

To stay up to date with the latest news about the coronavirus crisis and its impact on small businesses, take a look at our small business coronavirus hub.

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