We discussed the forthcoming changes to the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which is set to expire on October 31, at the end of September. More limitations have been imposed since then to combat the spread of Coronavirus, putting businesses under even more strain, with many being forced to close entirely or function for only a few hours.

As a result, the Chancellor has proposed several modifications to the Job Support Plan, which was supposed to take the place of the furlough scheme as part of the government’s Winter Economy Plan.

Job Support Scheme Modifications:

Job Support Scheme Overview

• Supplements pay in companies unable to rehire full-time staff.
• Goes live on November 1 and includes all UK nations.
• Employees receive up to two-thirds of their regular wage for unworked hours.
• Government pays up to 61.67% of earnings for unworked hours, totaling £1541.75 monthly.
• Employer contributions to unworked hours reduced to 5% of total hours worked.
• Eligibility for employees working one day a week reduced from 33% to 20%.
• Employees must have worked for the company since September 23.
• Employers must contribute to National Insurance and a minimum pension plan.
• Employees cannot be fired or placed on notice while claiming a Jobs Support Scheme award.
• Employers can claim the Job Retention Bonus worth £1,000 for each employee.
• Combining the Job Support Scheme and Job Retention Bonus can provide nearly 95% of employees’ total pay expenses.

Small and medium-sized enterprises with less than 250 employees are eligible for the scheme. To be eligible for the scheme, employees must have “viable occupations.” Businesses in presently closed industries, such as nightclubs, may not be eligible.

Large corporations are also eligible, but only if they can show that their income has decreased because of the coronavirus.

Self-employed are now obtaining increased support:

A similar support scheme for self-employed persons has been updated, and will now offer a lump sum award of 40% of projected earnings, up from 20% previously:

• Those who qualify for the Self Employment Income Support Scheme Award will be eligible for the grant.
• From November until the end of January, the award will cover three months’ worth of profits.
• It will payout 40% of average monthly profits, up to a maximum of £3750.
• A second award, covering the months of February to April, will be announced later.

Grants for additional business:

The Chancellor also announced financial awards of up to £2,100 per month for firms in the hospitality, lodging, and leisure sectors that have been harmed by restrictions in high-alert regions.

This includes firms in industries that are not legally compelled to close but have been harmed by municipal regulations.

According to the government, these incentives will be accessible retroactively for regions that have previously been restricted. They are in addition to the greater levels of corporate support offered to Tier 3 local governments.

We can assist:

We have skilled and educated accountants who can help if your firm is still suffering – or if you just need some assistance. Keep in touch with CBM Accounting for updates on changes to the work scheme and other accounting, tax, and financial matters.

We can assist you with all elements of forecasting, tax, corporate finance, and resolving any financial difficulties created by COVID-19 at CBM Accounting. We also have a staff of skilled attorneys that can assist with legal matters such as corporate law, employment law, and commercial law.