Over 19,000 jobs in Scarborough have been furloughed due to coronavirus: Here's the proportion of employed to self-employed

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 19,100 jobs in Scarborough.

The CJRS and SEISS were announced by the Chancellor Rishi Sunak earlier this year, and are run by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), as part of a package of support measures for businesses affected by the coronavirus response.

Businesses have furloughed 14,500 jobs in Scarborough, up to May 31, since the CJRS was launched on April 2. The Government says 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 in May 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 in May and has financially supported 4,600 self-employed individuals in Scarborough who have been adversely affected by the coronavirus outbreak and paid grants worth a total of £12.2 million.

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 North of England 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.”

The Government has also been paying grants to local firms and operators in the area via its Small Business and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure grants.

As of Tuesday June 2, Scarborough Council had distributed 4,906 grants, equating to £55.7 million businesses in the borough.

To find out more about the grants visit www.scarborough.gov.uk/node/7948