Key takeaways from The Budget for the Employment Sector

After a week of rumours and alleged leaks regarding The Budget, we can now confirm what has been announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak on Budget Day (Wednesday 3 March 2021).

Below are some of the key takeaways from The Budget for the Employment Sector:

• As expected, the Furlough scheme will be extended until the end of September. Therefore, employees will continue to receive 80% of their current salary for hours not worked. From July the Treasury will ask employers for a 10% contribution to Furlough. This rises to 20% in August and September.

• The Chancellor confirmed that support for the self-employed will also extend until the end of September. This is to include an extension for around the 600,000 previously excluded under the scheme;

• The incentive payments to businesses for employing apprentices, of any age, will be doubled to £3,000 for all new recruits;

• A £20 a week temporary increase in Universal Credit has been further extended for six months;

• Restart grants in order to help businesses reopen will be available. This will initially be available for non-essential retail, followed by the hospitality and leisure businesses.

• Businesses can apply for a loan under a new 'Recovery Loan Scheme' which replaces the previous Bounce Back Loan scheme.