News

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 105,300 jobs in Dundee, Angus, Fife and Perth and Kinross.

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.
Businesses have furloughed 85,000 jobs in Tayside and Fife, up to 31 May 2020, since the CJRS was launched on 20 April 2020. This is to help UK employers who have been severely affected by coronavirus to retain their employees and protect the UK economy.

An announcement was made on 12 May 2020 that the scheme will run until the end of October to continue the support for jobs and businesses as people return to work.

The SEISS was rolled out ahead of schedule in May and has financially supported 20,300 self-employed individuals in Tayside and Fife who have been adversely affected by the coronavirus outbreak and paid grants worth a total of £58.7 million up to 31 May 2020.

On 29 May 2020 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 Scotland 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.”

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:

“So far, nearly 800,000 jobs across Scotland have been saved by direct UK Government coronavirus support. Through the job retention scheme 628,200 Scottish jobs have been furloughed, and the UK Government has spent £425 million on supporting 146,000 self-employed people in Scotland. People and businesses in Scotland have also benefited from UK-wide schemes such as VAT deferral, company loans and Universal Credit. In addition, the Scottish Government has been allocated an extra £3.8 billion in coronavirus funding through the Barnett Formula.

“The UK Government is doing whatever it takes to get Scotland, and the whole of the UK, through the coronavirus pandemic and ensure our economy can get back on track. This unprecedented package of UK Government support is protecting Scottish jobs and businesses, and will ensure that Scotland’s economy can recover for the future.”