Will businesses face more pain?
Last month saw a huge amount of activity with the planned end to the furlough scheme and the introduction of the new Job Support Scheme, which was to follow from November. Originally aimed at businesses with reduced demand over the winter due to Covid, plans were made to extend the JSS to cover businesses that were required to close due to the localised 3-tier restrictions.
All this planning was for nothing in the end. It was overridden on Halloween when the Prime Minister announced a new month-long national lockdown where non-essential shops, restaurants and pubs must close. The furlough scheme is now being extended into March to cover this latest lockdown and beyond, with Michael Gove indicating on the Andrew Marr show how the lockdown could extend. Everyone will be watching this space to see what effect these present restrictions have on the spread of the virus.
Before the announcement, and following leaks about the government’s plans, business leaders said another national lockdown would be devastating. Mike Cherry, Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, said it could be ‘incredibly frustrating’ after small businesses had spent thousands making their sites Covid-secure. It is an incredibly tough time for all employers and the situation is fast moving. Keep up to date with both the rules and support at www.gov.uk, or contact us for immediate and targeted help.
