THE GOVERNMENT’S Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) has supported almost 100,000 people across Worcestershire, new figures have revealed.
A total of 97,100 county residents have had their wages supported by the scheme which was part of a package of measures unveiled by Chancellor Rishi Sunak to back businesses affected by the Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown.
Businesses furloughed 75,700 jobs in Worcestershire up to May 31 and the Government revealed last month the scheme will run until the October as the nation slowly returns to work as lockdown measures continue to be eased.
A total of 13,500 jobs in Worcester have been furloughed according to the figures while a further 8,500 jobs have been placed on hold in neighbouring Malvern.
16,000 jobs have been furloughed in Wychavon while the figures for Bromsgrove and Redditch were 12,000 and 12,400 respectively.
Self-employed people across Worcestershire have also been supported by the SEISS scheme which has backed 21,400 individuals and paid out grants totalling £63.2million in Worcestershire alone up to the end of May.
A total of £15.5million has been paid to Wychavon residents while 3,400 Bromsgrove residents have received £10.4million. A total of 3,200 claims in both Worcester and Malvern have resulted in £9.4million in claims being paid while in Redditch 2,900 self-employed people received a total of £8.4million.
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 Worcestershire 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.”
