THE CORONAVIRUS Job Retention scheme will be a vital boost to help businesses through the crisis says Rugby MP Mark Pawsey.
Businesses across the constituency impacted by the crisis can now claim up to £2,500 a month per employee towards staff wages as part of the Government’s Job Retention Scheme, which went live on Monday April 20.
Employers can apply for direct cash grants through HMRC’s new online portal – with the money expected to land in their bank accounts within six working days.
The scheme, announced by chancellor Rishi Sunak as part of a package of support to protect jobs and businesses, allows employers to claim for a cash grant of up to 80 per cent of a furloughed employees wages, capped at £2,500 a month.
By the end of yesterday there had seen 185,000 claims nationwide, covering 1.3million employees, and at a value of £1.5billion.
Speaking about the importance of the scheme, Mr Pawsey said: “I know that many residents have been very concerned about the impact the coronavirus outbreak will have on their livelihoods. That is why it was so important for the government to bring forward this scheme swiftly and I am pleased that it is now live for employers to access this support.”
“Since the outbreak began, I have been in regular contact with businesses throughout Rugby and Bulkington, including taking part in video calls with the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and Rugby Business Network.
“This is obviously a very challenging time for both businesses and their employees and I am listening to the concerns of local businesses, which I am raising with my colleagues in government as a member and the interim Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee.
“Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic the government has been clear that it will stand behind businesses and individuals, and the jobs retention scheme is just one part of that.”
