More than 19,000 Chichester jobs being supported by furlough scheme

The Government has supported the wages of 19,100 jobs in the city– 13,800 through the furlough scheme and 5,300 self-employed people.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) were announced by the Chancellor Rishi Sunak, and are run by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), as part of a package of support measures for businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The figures show that, across the South East, the Government has supported the wages of 1,387,400 jobs, including 142,900 across West Sussex.

Businesses have furloughed 13,800 jobs in Chichester, 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 economy.

An announcement was made on May 12 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 5,300 self-employed individuals in Chichester who have been adversely affected by the coronavirus outbreak and paid grants worth a total of £12.1m up to May 31, HMRC said.

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.”

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