Chancellor Rishi Sunak has just announced an extension to the Job Support Scheme, which is due to begin on 1 November 2020. Today’s announcement targets businesses who are required to shutdown due to local lockdowns and is in addition to the existing schemes announced. The final direction has still to be issued but the basics are set out below;

Last month, the government announced how the Job Support Scheme would contribute 1/3 of the shortfall of wages (capped at £697.72pm) for employees who were working reduced hours, but working at least 33% of their normal (pre-furlough) hours. The employer would contribute a further 1/3 of the shortfall, and the employee would forego the final third.