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Everything you need to know about the new furlough extension until March 2021
All the info you need…
Rishi Sunak today announced an extension to the furlough scheme, as well as more support for self-employed workers.
The five-month extension of the furlough scheme will see it continue into Spring 2021, the Chancellor announced today, Thursday November 5th.
The government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) will now run until the end of March, with employees receiving 80% of their current salary for hours not worked.
Scott Graham/Unsplash
Mr Sunak also said there will be support for millions of self-employed workers, through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) which is set to be increased.
The third available grant will cover from November to January, and will be calculated at 80% of average trading profits, up to a maximum of £7,500.
Mr 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.”
Louis Hansel/Unsplash
As it stands, there are currently no employer contributions to wages for hours which are not worked, with employers only asked to cover National Insurance and employer pension contributions for any hours not worked.
This means that for an average claim, that will account for 5% of total employment costs – or roughly £70 per employee per month.
The government says the CJRS extension will be reviewed again in January, to see whether the economic situation has improved enough for employers to be asked to increase their contribution to wages.
The government also announced:
- cash grants of up to £3,000 per month for businesses which are closed worth more than £1 billion every month
- £1.1 billion is being given to Local Authorities, distributed on the basis of £20 per head, for one-off payments to enable them to support businesses more broadly
- plans to extend existing government-backed loan schemes and the Future Fund to the end of January, and an ability to top-up Bounce Back Loans
- an extension to the mortgage payment holiday for homeowners
- up to £500 million of funding for councils to support the local public health response.
You can find additional info and keep up to date on the Government website here.
News
Toys R Us is returning to UK high streets this month
It’s called Toys R Us, Toys R Us, Toys R Us!
Toys R Us has announced it will be returning to the UK high street on a date this month.
It’s official, the iconic toy super store will be making a comeback in a matter of weeks.
The retailer — a total paradise for children — is set to open nine high street stores across the UK in partnership with WHSmith.
Some five years after closing 100 of its UK stores, shoppers will be able to physically see and test out toys in its stores, rather than going off reviews and zooming-in on some pictures online.
From Saturday June 10th, customers will be able to browse aisles and aisles of the most popular brands of toys from Barbie, to Hot Wheels, Star Wars, Lego, Fisher Price and so much more.
You can take your children or even go for a gander for nostalgic reasons — hey, who’s judging?
Parents will be pleading with children to put toys back on shelves as they do their best to get them to leave the store. Don’t say you haven’t been warned!
The shops will be divided into different sections including age, interest, and category, as stores will be decked out with interactive experiences, activities, and demonstration tables.
And of course, Geoffrey the Giraffe will feature as the store mascot, just like old times.
The nine shops will open at the following locations throughout the summer:
- Canterbury (St George Street)
- Chelmsford (High Street)
- Cheltenham (High Street)
- Cwmbran (The Mall)
- Oxford (Cornmarket Street)
- Poole (Towngate Shopping Centre)
- Reading (Broad Street)
- Solihull (Mell Square)
- York (Monks Cross retail park)
Commenting on the exciting return in partnership with WHSmith, Sean Toal, managing director for WHSmith High Street, said: “At WHSmith, we’re always exploring new opportunities to launch exciting new product ranges to our customers on the high street, and our partnership with Toys R Us certainly does this.
“The brand has long been known for its exceptional range of toys and games and complements our existing offer well.
“Across each of the nine locations, we have a great team of colleagues who look forward to welcoming many new and existing customers over the coming weeks and showcasing the new store layout and, not forgetting, Geoffrey the Giraffe.”
The first Toys R Us store in partnership with WHSmith will open on Saturday, June 10th in Monks Cross Retail Park, York, with a special grand opening event.
The remaining eight stores will gradually open their doors throughout the rest of the summer — yes, that soon! While the majority of the stores are down south, hopefully some more Northern sites will eventually open – including here in Manchester.
You can find out more on the website HERE.
News
Morrisons cafes serving half-price fish and chips just £3.49 for one day only
Get your Friday chippy tea deal!
Morrisons supermarket cafe will be serving half-price fish and chips at just £3.49 for tomorrow only.
The supermarket will be halving the price of a plate of fish and chips in all its cafes in celebration of National Fish and Chips Day on Friday, June 2nd.
For one day only, hungry customers can catch the bargain chippy tea staple, priced at just £3.49 — not bad eh?
The children’s mini fish, chips and peas dish will also be reduced. You can net this one for just £2.74.
To claim the National Fish and Chips Day offer, diners will simply have to present their More Card at the café checkout.
A mum has issued a desperate plea to find her missing 14-year-old daughter.
A distraught mother has issued a plea to find her daughter who went missing six days ago.
Katelan Coates was last seen on Friday May 26th. She was last seen leaving Burnley bus station after travelling from Todmorden, West Yorkshire.
Her family say she may have travelled to Manchester or Stockport. It is believed the teenager could have used public transport to travel around the North West.
In an appeal on Wednesday morning, May 31st, Katelan’s mum Tina wrote: “Please, please help find Katelan. Missing since Friday, that’s five nights sleeping god knows where?
“She might go in a McDonald’s, hang out on a park or city centre? We’re considering Burnley, Blackburn, Preston, Manchester and Blackpool, Stockport.
“She uses buses and trains to get around, she is only 14 years old. Please ring 999 log 1971 26/5.”
Lancashire and West Yorkshire police have also appealed to the public in a bid to help track the teenager down and bring her safely home. Katelan was seen arriving at Burnley bus station at 6.53pm last Friday.
She is described as a white female, around 5ft 5ins in height, with long brown hair. She was last seen wearing an orange vest top, black leggings and a black coat.
In a further appeal later yesterday, mum Tina wrote: “This post is just for Katelan Coates. You know how much you’re loved.
“You know we will do anything/everything to help you. If that means we move or change school to give you a fresh start we will.
“If you can at least let us know you’re okay. Our door is always open, no questions or judgement. Love you always, mum and dad.”
Officers are ‘increasingly concerned’ for Katelan’s welfare and are urging anyone with information on her whereabouts to get in touch ‘without delay’.
Members of the public can contact police with information via the LiveChat function on the West Yorkshire Police Website, or by calling 101 quoting West Yorkshire Police reference 1971, of May 26th.
The hunt for the UK’s messiest car is on with a £200 prize for the winner
Toys R Us is returning to UK high streets this month
Morrisons cafes serving half-price fish and chips just £3.49 for one day only
Mum issues desperate plea to find missing 14-year-old girl
Person tragically killed on railway tracks in Greater Manchester late at night
