Gosport MP, Caroline Dinenage, has commended the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, on the decision to extend the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) – commonly known as the furlough scheme – until the end of March 2021.
The scheme – which means that the government pays 80% of a furloughed staff members average monthly wages up to £2,500 a month – has already supported over 11,000 Gosport Constituents who have been unable to work as normal due to the pandemic. It has been a lifeline for many whose workplace has been shut due to COVID-19 restrictions, and was set to be extended until the end of new restrictive measures on December 2nd. Now this has been extended for another 3 months.
The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, which at the last count provided a grant to over 2,600 local residents, will also provide further financial support with the third grant from November to January covering 80% of average monthly trading profits up to £7,500.
Today, as the country enters new COVID-19 restrictions until December 2nd to prevent the NHS from becoming overwhelmed this winter and slow the spread of the virus, many Gosport businesses have concerns about their financial future.
On top of the government support that Caroline is signposting constituents to, she has also launched Small Business November, starting her own Facebook group and social media campaign to encourage local, independent traders to advertise what goods they are selling online and via delivery as they have had to shut their doors. The campaign is similar to when Caroline advertised pubs and restaurants during the Spring lockdown who were doing online deliveries as they remained closed.
Caroline commented:
“I am extremely pleased with today’s announcement which will be a welcome relief for many employers and employees across Gosport, Hill Head, Stubbington and Lee-on-the-Solent.
“I know that the furlough scheme has been a lifeline for many, protecting so many jobs. This extension will ensure greater certainty for residents and local businesses who are very concerned about the economic implications of the ongoing pandemic.
“As well as signposting businesses to the right financial support, I shall continue to support our local enterprises and economy – including the launch of my own Small Business November where I will be advertising the goods that independent traders are selling online and via delivery – over the coming months.”
The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said:
“I’ve always said I would do whatever it takes to protect jobs and livelihoods across the UK - and that has meant adapting our support as the path of the virus has changed.
“It’s clear the economic effects are much longer lasting for businesses than the duration of any restrictions, which is why we have decided to go further with our support.
“Extending furlough and increasing our support for the self-employed will protect millions of jobs and give people and businesses the certainty they need over what will be a difficult winter.”
