UK Workers to get two-thirds pay if firms told to shut

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has today announced that the Job Support Scheme (JSS) will be expanded to protect jobs and support businesses required to close their doors as a result of coronavirus restrictions. He described the scheme as a safety net for staff and businesses.

The scheme begins on 1 November and will run for six months. Until November businesses that are asked to close can continue to use the furlough scheme.

The support will be reviewed in January.

The expansion will only apply to businesses who are forced to shut by law due to coronavirus restrictions, not those who choose to shut.

Businesses will only be eligible to claim the grant while they are subject to restrictions and employees must be off work for a minimum of seven consecutive days.

The grants will be paid up to a maximum of £2,100 per employee a month and the Treasury said they would protect jobs and enable businesses to reopen quickly once restrictions are lifted.

Further guidance on the scheme will be set out by HMRC in due course.

HM Treasury press release can be found here