- New statistics for the UK Government’s job retention
and self-employment support schemes show level of support
in Wales;
- 102,000 self-employed people in Wales access the Self
Employment Income Support Scheme receiving £273 million in
support;
- More than 316,000 jobs in Wales have been furloughed
ensuring people can return to work after the outbreak;
The UK Government’s unprecedented package of coronavirus
support has protected the incomes of 418,000 people in
Wales according to statistics published today (Thursday).
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self
Employment Income Support Scheme were announced by the
Chancellor at the start of the coronavirus pandemic in
March as part of a package of measures to support jobs,
businesses and individuals affected by the coronavirus
outbreak.
Today’s figures show 316,500 jobs in Wales have been
furloughed up to the 31st May 2020, across a wide range of
sectors including retail, agriculture and construction.
Cardiff has seen 36,000 people furloughed, with 23,000
receiving support through the CJRS in the city of Swansea.
, Chancellor of the
Exchequer, said:
The UK Government is doing everything we can to, protect
jobs and businesses in Wales 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
and possible.
Secretary of State for Wales said:
The UK Government said it would do whatever it took to
support the people and businesses of Wales through the
pandemic and we have produced an unprecedented package of
measures to deliver on that promise.
So far, more than 316,000 Welsh jobs have been supported
by the job retention scheme while £273m has been provided
to support 102,000 self-employed people. People and
businesses in Wales have also benefited from UK-wide
schemes such as VAT deferral, company loans and Universal
Credit, while the Welsh Government has been allocated an
additional £2.2 billion in direct coronavirus funding.
The UK Government has provided certainty for employers
and workers to ensure that Wales’s economy is ready to
bounce back from the pandemic.
Nationally, employers in the wholesale and retail sectors
have furloughed the highest number of employers, covering
1.6 million jobs, followed by accommodation and food
service employers furloughing 1.4 million. The CJRS scheme
will continue to support jobs until the end of October,
with flexible part-time furloughing beginning in July to
support businesses as the economy is carefully reopened.
The SEISS scheme has also been extended with those eligible
able to claim a second and final grant in August of up to
£6570.
The two schemes are part of a comprehensive economic
package of support including Bounce Back loans, income tax
deferrals, rental support, increased levels of Universal
Credit, mortgage holidays and the various business support
schemes the government has introduced to protect businesses
during this time.
ENDS
Notes:
