Updates to the JRS and SEISS

Some important changes and extensions have been announced for the Job Retention Scheme (JRS) and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS)

  • Flexible furlough arrangements have been brought forward to start from 1 July instead of 1 August.
  • Employer contribution towards the cost of furlough to start from 1 August with approx 5% in August, 10% in September & 20% in October.
  • Self-Employed Income Support Scheme to be extended for a further 3 months but capped at 70% of profits (maximum grant = £6,570). It will be paid in one payment in August.

Update on the Job Retention Scheme 

In June and July, the scheme will continue as before with no employer contribution at all.  The government will pay 80% of furloughed people’s wages, up to a maximum of £2,500.

At the same time, the Flexible Furlough will start in July, one month earlier than previously planned.

In August, the taxpayer contribution to people’s wages will stay at 80%. Employers will only be asked to cover National Insurance and employer pension contributions which, for the average claim, accounts for just 5% of total employment costs.

By September the Government will ask employers to contribute 10% towards people’s salaries with taxpayers paying the other 70%.

In October, taxpayers will pay 60%, and employers will contribute 20%.

After October the scheme will close.

From July 1st, employers will have added flexibility to allow people to work part-time and claim furlough.  For instance, your employer could bring you back two days a week.  They pay you for the two days and the furlough scheme covers the other three.

However from 1st July the old scheme is closed to new entrants.  Employers wanting to place new employees on the scheme will need to do so by June 10th, to allow time to complete the minimum furlough period before then.

SEISS 

The self-employed scheme will open for applications in August, but with the grant reduced to 70% of their average monthly trading profits. As with the first grant under SEISS, the money will be paid in a single instalment covering three months’ average monthly profits up to £6,570, down from the £7,500 cap of the first grant. 

The government has not changed the eligibility criteria for the second grant. As with the first version, individuals will have to confirm that they’ve been adversely affected by Covid-19. However, a self-employed worker does not have to have claimed the first SEISS grant in order to be eligible for this final handout.  

The self-employed income support scheme has so far supported 2.3m people with claims worth £6.8bn. The first grant is still open for applications but self-employed workers have until 13 July to apply.

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