Job Support Scheme Extended

Please read our updated article with further information here – https://www.ashtonslegal.co.uk/insights/business-news/job-support-scheme-update/

The Job Support Scheme (JSS) has been extended.

Last month the government announced how under the JSS employers will continue to pay employees who are working at least 33% of their usual hours for the first three months of the scheme. Employees will be paid for time worked but the cost of hours not worked will be split between the employer, the Government and the employee. The Government will pay a third of hours not worked up to a cap of £697.92 a month, with the employer also contributing a third.

The extension is aimed to provide temporary support to businesses whose premises have been legally required to close as a direct result of coronavirus restrictions. The government will pay two-thirds of employees’ salaries, 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.

Employers can apply for the JSS including the extension even if the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) has not been used previously. The extension will only apply while businesses are subject to restrictions and employees have been instructed to cease work for a minimum of seven consecutive days.

The JSS will open for claims from 1 November for six months, with payment of grants in arrears via an HMRC claims portal available from early December.

We Can Help You

If you would like any more information, please get in touch with our specialist Employment Law team through this website or by calling 0330 404 0778.

Our partners at Ashtons HR Consulting are also on hand to assist you.

This information is correct at 10am on 13 October 2020.