18,000 jobs in Mid Sussex on furlough

A spokesman for HM Revenue & Customs said: “Since the launch of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), the UK Government has supported the wages of 23,700 jobs in Mid Sussex.

“The CJRS and SEISS were announced by the Chancellor, and are run by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), as part of a package of support measures for businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak.”

HMRC says businesses have furloughed 18,000 jobs in Mid Sussex, up to May 31, since the CJRS was launched on April 20.

“This is to help UK employers who have been severely affected by coronavirus to retain their employees and protect the UK economy,” the spokesman added.

Last month it was announced that the scheme would run until the end of October to continue the support for jobs and businesses as people return to work.

The SEISS was rolled out in May and has financially supported 5,700 self-employed individuals in Mid Sussex who have been adversely affected by the coronavirus outbreak and paid grants worth a total of £19m up to 31 May 2020, HMRC says.

On May 29. the Chancellor announced an extension to this scheme. Those eligible to claim the SEISS grant will be able to claim a second and final grant in August of up to £6,750.

Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “The UK Government is doing everything we can to protect jobs and businesses in the South East and across the UK during the crisis.

“Our unprecedented job retention and self-employment support schemes have supported the livelihoods of millions and will help ensure our recovery is as swift as possible.”

More information can be found at www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wages-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme and www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support.

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