Darren Henry MP Broxtowe is looking forward to virtually meeting with Broxtowe businesses on Friday 15th May at 10am to hear how he can support them in the coming weeks and months. All businesses are welcome to take part and you do not need to be a member of East Midlands Chamber of Commerce. If you would like to sign up to this virtual meeting please click the following link: https://www.emc-dnl.co.uk/helping-you-influence/engaging-decision-makers/mp-briefings/mp-briefings2/?VariantID=3445
Businesses across Broxtowe given boost with furlough scheme extension
Workers and businesses across Broxtowe have been given a boost by Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who has announced the current furlough scheme would be extended by a further four months with workers continuing to receive 80% of their current salary.
From the start of August, furloughed workers will be able to return to work part-time with employers being asked to pay a percentage towards the salaries of their furloughed staff.
The employer payments will substitute the contribution the government is currently making, ensuring that staff continue to receive 80% of their salary, up to £2,500 a month.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “Our Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has protected millions of jobs and businesses across the UK during the outbreak – and I’ve been clear that I want to avoid a cliff edge and get people back to work in a measured way.
“This extension and the changes we are making to the scheme will give flexibility to businesses while protecting the livelihoods of the British people and our future economic prospects.”
New statistics published today revealed the job retention scheme has protected 7.5 million workers and almost 1 million businesses.
Commenting, Darren Henry, the MP for Broxtowe, said: “The Chancellor and I are listening to Businesses in Broxtowe. I welcome the further extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which will help businesses eliminate some of the uncertainties that they and their employees are still facing. The potential to keep the scheme running to October, albeit with employers contributing, and allowing flexibility to bring people back into the workplace on a part-time basis where it is safe to do so, will help to aid the transition back to work.”
Chris Hobson, Director of Policy at the East Midlands Chamber, said: “The furlough scheme has seen the Government provide an unprecedented level of financial support to workers affected by the pandemic with the objective of protecting jobs and businesses, for which it should be applauded. The focus now needs to shift more towards safely restarting the economy as quickly and as safely as possible so businesses can start the process of building the UK’s economic recovery. This is the best – and most sustainable – way of securing people’s livelihoods.”
The scheme will continue in its current form until the end of July and the changes to allow more flexibility will come in from the start of August.
The Chancellor’s decision to extend the scheme, which will continue to apply across all regions and sectors in the UK economy, comes after the government outlined its plan for the next phase of its response to the coronavirus outbreak.