Government Update: Extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, restarting the housing market & the opening of the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme


Yesterday, the Chancellor extended the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme until the end of October,  giving workers and businesses the certainty they need that the Government will continue to support them.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has already protected more than 7 million jobs across the UK which would otherwise have been at risk. As the Government moves into the second stage of its response to coronavirus, it is focused on not just saving lives, but also saving livelihoods.

 We will extend the scheme until the end of October, to avoid a cliff edge and get people back to work in a measured way. Until the end of July, workers will continue to receive 80 per cent of their current salary, up to £2,500 a month, from the Government. From the start of August, the scheme will be more flexible, and furloughed workers will be able to return to work part-time with employers being asked to contribute towards some of the costs of their salaries.

 We will continue to do everything we can to ensure people can pay their bills and put food on the table. As we begin to recover and return to our way of life, it is vital that we all stay alert, so we can control the virus and save lives.

The Housing Secretary has announced a plan to restart the housing market in England, allowing anyone to move home safely while getting the vital construction industry running again.

Thanks to the efforts and sacrifice of the British people, we have succeeded in slowing the spread of coronavirus. But the necessary measures have left families unable to move home and progress their plans.

 From today, anyone in England will be able move house, complete purchases and view properties in person, while new guidance has been provided to do this safely. This will unblock 450,000 property transactions paused due to coronavirus. We will also launch new measures to get the construction industry working again, with a new Safe Working Charter to help sites reopen in a way that ensures people stay alert to control the spread of the virus.

 As we move to the second phase of the Government’s response to coronavirus, we must begin to recover and restore our way of life – now the critical construction industry can safely move forward, while those waiting to move can do so.

From today, the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme will open for applications, ahead of schedule, to ensure those who work for themselves are financially supported during this time.

As we move into the second phase of the Government’s response to coronavirus, ministers are focused not just on saving lives, but also supporting people through this. That’s why they are taking unprecedented action to support businesses, jobs and our economy.
 From today, self-employed people can apply for support under the world-leading Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. If they meet the criteria, they will receive a grant worth 80 per cent of their average monthly trading profits, paid in a single instalment up to £7,500. The money will be with people within 6 working days of their application.
 Originally not due to open until June, this scheme will ensure self-employed people have money in their pockets to help them through these challenging times.

From today, people in England can spend longer outdoors, visit garden centres and all those who cannot work from home are now encouraged to go back to work, as part of the first step in the Government’s Covid-19 recovery strategy.

Our success containing the virus so far has been hard fought and hard won. So it is for that reason that we must proceed with the utmost care in the next phase, and avoid undoing what we have achieved.
 Anyone who cannot work from home, for instance those in construction or manufacturing, should go to work. The Government has provided employers with guidance on making workplaces safe. People can also now take unlimited exercise outside, sit in the park, drive to other destinations such as a national park, and meet one person from outside of their household if they are outdoors and maintain social distancing.
 At all times we need people to stay alert, so that we can control the virus and save lives. 

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