Commenting on the Chancellor’s new measures to support businesses and workers, Sam Robinson, researcher at Bright Blue, said:
“Today’s adjustments to the Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) and Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) are much needed and will undoubtedly save jobs this winter. In particular, the changes to the JSS mean that companies finally have a strong incentive to cut hours rather than cut jobs.
“Not everyone will benefit from these changes, however. The SEISS is still untargeted; for many self-employed who have had their trade suspended, the scheme will be insufficient. For those in other sectors or tiers, it will be overly generous.
“There is also a lingering divide between employees in businesses who have been legally forced to shut due to tier 3 restrictions, who will receive extensive local furlough scheme support, and self-employed people in these areas who will receive less generous support under the SEISS.
“Nor will the revamped JSS be able to save every job. For those that do fall through the cracks, the Government should keep the £20 a week Universal Credit uplift in place to avoid a significant hit to struggling households next year as we come out of recession.”
Image: Number 10
