THE MAIN PROPOSALS

WORKERS

Under the revamped Job Support Scheme, if an employee is forced to work reduced hours due to a lack of business, the Government and employer will top up their income to cover wages for two-thirds of their unworked time from November 1.

The original JSS was announced exactly four weeks ago as a replacement for the Job Retention Scheme, known as furlough.

An employee has to work 20% of their normal hours, with the employer paying 5% of the unworked hours and the state paying for up to almost 62%, up to a maximum of £1,541.75 a month.

This means it is more generous for bosses who, the Treasury hopes, will now be more likely to keep on workers.

In Tier 3 areas where businesses are forced to close, the JSS does not apply and workers can get two-thirds of their normal salary for doing no work, paid entirely by the Government, up to £2,100 a month.

BUSINESSES

There will be grants of up to £2,100 a month available for firms in Tier 2 areas of England, primarily aimed at helping hospitality and leisure venues which have seen takings plummet due to restrictions on households mixing.

They will be available retrospectively for areas which have already been subject to restrictions since August.

SELF-EMPLOYED

The Government will provide two, taxable self-employment income support scheme grants to support those experiencing reduced demand due to Covid-19 or who cannot trade.

The grants are based on 40% of historic average profits over three months, up from 20%, to a maximum figure of £3,750.