Tynemouth MP has thanked One North Shields for the work they do to support local businesses, including the following useful summary of the support available following recent government announcements and changes:

𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲: a new 6 month scheme from 1st November.

-The furlough scheme ends at the end of October.

-Under the new scheme, the government will contribute towards the wages of employees who are working fewer than normal hours due to decreased demand. Employees must be on the payroll before the 24th of September.

-SMEs do not have to show that they have been adversely affected by Covid.

-Employers will continue to pay the wages of staff for the hours they work – but for the hours not worked, the government and the employer will each pay one third of their equivalent salary.

This means employees who can only go back to work on shorter time will still be paid two thirds of the hours for those hours they can’t work.

-In order to support only ‘viable’ jobs, employees must be working at least 33% of their usual hours. The level of grant will be calculated based on employee’s usual salary, capped at £697.92 per month.

-Zero hours contract employees are not excluded.

NICs and pension contributions will not be covered by the government.

-The job retention bonus is not affected.