Craft Focus - August/September 2020 (Issue 80)

76 PACKAGES OF SUPPORT The UK Government has supported wages of 1.73 million workers across wholesale and retail sector during the pandemic. Here’s more information about the schemes Since the launch of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), the UK Government has supported the wages of 1,736,800 jobs in the wholesale and retail sector. The CJRS and SEISS were announced by the Chancellor, and are run by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), as part of a package of support measures for businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Businesses have furloughed 1,609,800 jobs in wholesale and retail, up to 31 st May, 2020, since the CJRS was launched on 20 th April, 2020. This is to help UK employers who have been severely affected by coronavirus to retain their employees and protect the UK economy. An announcement was made on 12 th May that the scheme will run until the end of October to continue the support for jobs and businesses as people return to work. The SEISS was rolled out ahead of schedule in May and has financially supported 127,000 self-employed individuals in wholesale and retail who have been adversely affected by the coronavirus outbreak. On 29 th May, 2020, the Chancellor announced an extension to this scheme. Those eligible to claim the SEISS grant will be able to claim a second and final grant in August of up to £6,750. In total, for both schemes, a total of £3.707 billion has been paid out up to 31 st May, 2020. Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “The UK Government is doing everything we can to protect jobs and businesses across the UK during the crisis. Our unprecedented job retention and self-employment support schemes have supported the livelihoods of millions and will help ensure our recovery is as swift as possible.” Further guidance on both schemes is available at www.gov.uk