Government steps in to pay wages for county’s companies

Billions of pounds have been set aside to help support workers and businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The government’s announcement on Friday will support thousands of firms across Kent pay wages even if they are forced to temporarily suspend jobs.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak revealed an “unprecedented” level of funding announcing the government will step in to pay 80% of salaries through grants to companies.

The salary commitment is called the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and is open to all businesses. Companies must apply to the government detailing affected employees – known as “furloughed workers” – who must be notified of the change. Information must then be submitted to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) about the furloughed employees and their earnings through a new online portal.

Anyone earning up to £2,500 per month will receive 80% of their regular monthly salary and funding will come from HMRC once a payment system is in place to pay businesses directly.

It is part of nine measures introduced by the government which will also see businesses not paying VAT until the end of June, income tax relief for self-employed until the end of January.

But the government has been criticised for not going far enough to help support self-employed workers.

Mr Sunak said the government is promising more measures for the self-employed.

He told parliament on Tuesday: “We absolutely understand the situation many people face. We need to be confident it is done in a way that is deliverable and fair to the vast majority of the British workforce.”

Full details are available on the government website at www.gov.uk/government/publi-cations/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

‘We need to be confident it is done in a way that is deliverable and fair’

Picture: Matt Dunham/pa Wire Chancellor Rishi Sunak revealed a wide-ranging support package for businesses on Friday