The Chancellor this afternoon (8 July 2020) announced various measures that the government is to put in place to encourage employers retain their current employees and potentially take on new staff.
The main points include:
- Job Retention Bonus
The government will introduce a one-off payment of £1,000 to UK employers for every furloughed employee who remains continuously employed through to the end of January 2021. Employees must earn above the Lower Earnings Limit (£520 per month) on average between the end of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the end of January 2021. Payments will be made from February 2021. Further detail about the scheme will be announced by the end of July. - Payments for employers who hire new apprentices
The government will introduce a new payment of £2,000 to employers in England for each new apprentice they hire aged under 25, and a £1,500 payment for each new apprentice they hire aged 25 and over, from 1 August 2020 to 31 January 2021. These payments will be in addition to the existing £1,000 payment the government already provides for new 16-18 year-old apprentice.
Certain industries have been impacted more than others by COVID-19 and so included in the plan are some initiatives specifically aimed at those industries. They include:
- Temporary VAT cut for accommodation and attractions
From 15 July 2020 to 12 January 2021, to support businesses and jobs, the reduced (5%) rate of VAT will apply to supplies of accommodation and admission to attractions across the UK. Further guidance on the scope of this relief will be published by HMRC in the coming days. - Eat Out to Help Out
To encourage people to return to eating out, the scheme will entitle every diner to a 50% discount of up to £10 per head on their meal, at any participating restaurant, café, pub or other eligible food service establishment. The discount can be used unlimited times and will be valid Monday to Wednesday on any eat-in meal (including on non-alcoholic drinks) for the entire month of August 2020 across the UK. Participating establishments will be fully reimbursed for the 50% discount.
Full details of the government’s ‘Plan for Jobs’ can be found here.