Government Expands Job Support Scheme

HM Treasury has today announced that the Government contribution to employers’ wage costs under the Job Support Scheme (JSS) will be increased. Employers will be expected to pay 5% of the cost of unworked hours instead of the 33% originally announced.

The JSS, which was announced on 24 September 2020, opens on 1 November 2020 and is intended to run for six months. As originally announced, the JSS would require employers to pay a third of their employees’ wages for hours not worked, and require employees to be working 33% of their normal hours. Today’s announcement reduces the employer contribution to those unworked hours to 5% and reduces the minimum hours requirement to 20%, so those working just one day a week will be eligible. Employers will continue to receive the £1,000 Job Retention Bonus. The scheme for businesses legally required to close remains unchanged.

Link to press release: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/plan-for-jobs-chancellor-increases-financial-support-for-businesses-and-workers

If you need further advice on the Job Support Scheme, please contact the Starford team on 01342 347063 or email hello@starfordlegalhr.com