UK - the Chancellor of the Exchequer introduced the new Job Support Scheme (JSS) to help businesses and employees try to survive through the current pandemic to 30th April 2021.

Although further details on the scheme are still expected, Charles Avens from Druces' Employment team has set out a summary of the JSS released so far:

• The JSS will apply from 1st November 2020 only to ‘viable jobs’;
• Viable jobs mean where employees work at least 1/3rd of their usual working hours;
• The hours they work will be paid for by their employers at their full salary;
• The non-worked hours will be paid 33.3% by the Government (capped at £697.92 per month), 33.3% by the employer and 33% will be unpaid;
• Employers will not be permitted to make employees redundant whilst covered by the JSS;
• Businesses do not need to have made any claims under the previous furlough schemes, although it is unclear at the moment from which date they need to have been employed from;
• Employers are able to claim the JSS in addition to the Job Retention Bonus Scheme;
• This new scheme is open to all SMEs and to larger firms whose turnover has been significantly impacted by COVID-19.

Further information
Further updates will be provided as soon as more information on the Job Support Scheme becomes available, if you would like to know more about our Employment law services please speak to:

Charles Avens at c.avens@druces.com or +44 (0)20 7216 5568