Ministers to make changes to co-funded payroll scheme

Tuesday 11 January 2022

Ministers have confirmed that they will be updating the latest co-funded payroll scheme after business groups raised concerns that more sectors needed to be included.

A Government spokesperson said that an announcement on changes would be announced later this week.

This morning, Express reported on the concerns of the Jersey Hospitality Association and Chamber of Commerce, who called on restaurants and bars to be included in the latest incarnation of the covid-prompted support.

Chamber also argued that sole traders should be allowed to apply, and businesses should be able to factor in staff that have joined since March 2020, which is the month that all subsequent ‘detriment’ is compared to.

The seventh edition of the scheme was launched last month to cover business losses suffered in December and this month.

However, it is not a replica of previous editions, with a fresh list of eligible businesses, including hotels, airlines, event caterers and hire car companies. Restaurants are not on the list.

Pictured: Restaurants are not on the list for the current round of co-funded payroll support.

In response to the criticisms and observations of business groups, a Government spokesperson said: “Before Christmas, the Government announced a package of support that was tailored to the scale of impact that sectors were expected to experience, following the introduction of public health measures in January and the impact on consumer confidence over the festive period.

“Hotels and events related businesses were included within the scope of the Co-Funded Payroll Scheme, recognising that cancellations had taken place during December resulting in loss that could not be recovered even after isolation requirements were revised.

“Bars and restaurants were provided with additional support via the Fixed Cost Support Scheme rather than the CFPS as the impact on these sectors was likely to be less severe than for the sectors in scope of CFPS support.

“Following a review by Ministers, an announcement on changes to the CFPS will be made later this week.”