The Chancellor has today announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) will be extended until the end of April 2021. The rates and terms of the CJRS will remain the same as they currently are (with the government paying 80% towards hours not worked).
The Chancellor said he would review the employer contribution element of the CJRS in January, but decided to bring this forward to allow businesses to plan ahead for the remainder of the winter and the New Year.
The government will continue to pay 80% of the salary of employees for hours not worked until the end of April. Employers will only be required to pay wages, National Insurance Contributions (NICS) and pensions for hours worked; and NICS and pensions for hours not worked.
The eligibility criteria for the UK-wide scheme will remain unchanged and these changes will continue to apply to all Devolved Administrations.
Extending the scheme until the end of April means businesses across the country will have certainty about what support will be available to them.
The program of government backed loans (Bounce Back Loan Scheme, Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, and the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme) were due to close at the end of January 2021, though this is being extended to the end of March 2021.
It has also been confirmed that the next Budget will take place on 3 March 2021 and that additional support measures will be announced then. This will ensure that businesses have clarity over the next phases of support ahead of the forty-five day redundancy notice period required before the CJRS ends.
Categories: Bounce Back Loans, Business Support, CBILS, Coronavirus Scheme, Job Retention Scheme, Job Support Scheme