Did I predict there might be more changes afoot? Well I think I did, but quite honestly I didn’t expect them quite so quickly!!
In this roller-coaster world of lockdowns, furloughs and coronavirus, there have been more amendments and announcements by the Chancellor today, 5 November 2020.
- The furlough scheme will now be extended until the end of March
- The Job Support Scheme is postponed indefinitely
- The next self-employed income support grant will also increase from 55% to 80% of average profits – up to a maximum of £7,500
Furlough Scheme (Coronavirus Job Support Scheme – CRJS)
- This will remain at 80% support and contribution from the Government through November and December, and will be reviewed in January to see if the economy has improved enough to ask employers to make some contributions such as they did in September and October.
- The employer will still need to pay National Insurance and Employer pension contributions for the hours not worked.
- You can have employees on full or flexible furlough
- Claims must be submitted within 14 days of the month end – ie November claims must be submitted by 14 December latest.
- The claim portal will be open from 8am on Wednesday 11 November.
- The scheme is open to all employers and employees whether or not they have taken advantage of the scheme in the past, so long as RTIs have been submitted for the employee on or before 30 October 2020.
- Employees who were employed on 23 September, but who have since been made redundant or stopped working CAN BE REMPLOYED AND CLAIMED FOR!
- Full guidance will be published on Tuesday 10 November
Jobs Retention Bonus (JRB)
Will now NOT be paid in February. The Government has said that they will redeploy some sort of job retention incentive at the right time.
Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS)
- The November to January tranche of support for the self employed will be increased to 80% per month of average trading profits up to a maximum of £7500 total for the three months.
- The portal for claims will open on 30 November 2020
- Details of the fourth scheme for February to April will be announced at a later date.
Local Authority Discretionary Grants
- A further one off fund will be distributed to local authorities to use to support businesses at their discretion. We would expect this to be similar to the earlier four phases of discretionary grant funding, but will let you know when more details are available.
Loan Schemes
- Deadlines to apply to the various loan schemes have been extended to 31 January 2021, so if you haven’t yet taken advantage of these and think you might need to, you still have time.
- The rules on the Bounce Back Loan Scheme have also been adjusted so that you can apply for a top up if you did not already access the full amount available to you, which was £50,000 or 25% of Turnover. Banks should have this functionality available from next week (Monday 9 November)
On top of this, the government has announced:
- cash grants of up to £3,000 per month for businesses which are closed worth more than £1 billion every month
- £1.1 billion is being given to Local Authorities, distributed on the basis of £20 per head, for one-off payments to enable them to support businesses more broadly
- plans to extend existing government-backed loan schemes and the Future Fund to the end of January, and an ability to top-up Bounce Back Loans
- an extension to the mortgage payment holiday for homeowners
- up to £500 million of funding for councils to support the local public health response.
As always, any questions, please ask. And if you’re not sure whether or not you are eligible, please ask and any of the team will be able to check for you.
https://www.in-accountancy.co.uk/contact/
Take care, stay safe and be strong.
Very best wishes
Sarah x
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-extends-furlough-to-march-and-increases-self-employed-support
Disclaimer: Please note that this email does not constitute advice and is based on our best understanding of the government announcements at 5 November 2020
