Jersey's Co-Funded Payroll Scheme (CFPS) is being reintroduced, and the Fixed Cost Support Scheme (FCSS) is being extended to support businesses sectors that are being severely affected by Omicron and the public health measures introduced in response to it.
CFPS will provide payroll support for December 2021 and January 2022.
For businesses whose income has fallen by more than 20% this month, compared to December 2019, will be able to claim up to £1,250 per worker for the month. Businesses will be able to claim for December in January, and in February for January.
The Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Senator Lyndon Farnham, said: "It is clear that Omicron has affected consumer confidence, and that businesses and livelihoods continue to need support in some sectors. We will maintain support where it is needed, as we have throughout the pandemic."
The Minister for Treasury and Resources, Deputy Susie Pinel, said: "We gave an assurance when we closed the last Co-Funded Payroll Scheme that we would look to reinstate it if circumstances changed. The Omicron variant and public health guidance has meant that some businesses are seeing a downturn in trade and we see the reintroduction of the CFPS for a defined period as an insurance against the unknown factors and potential impact of Omicron."
CFPS was established in April 2020 to help protect Islanders' jobs by subsidising the payroll for Jersey businesses and the earnings of the self-employed. At its peak, the CFPS supported more than 15,000 jobs and 3,500 businesses at a monthly cost of £21 million. October 2021 was the last month for which businesses could claim when, depending on the fall in income, businesses could claim up to £1,250 per employee to cover 30% to 50% of each employee's monthly wage.
The cost of extending CFPS by a month is estimated at £500,000 which will be met from the existing budget for the scheme in 2021 and from funding established in the Government Plan to support the economy as part of the Covid-19 response.
The Fixed Cost Support Scheme (FCSS) will also be extended to cover additional sectors. The scheme makes a financial contribution towards the fixed costs of up to £5,000 (based on the size of the premises) in eligible sectors.
These schemes are in addition to other economic support measures:
- Visitor Attraction and Events Scheme
- Visitor Accommodation Support Scheme
- Fiscal Stimulus Fund
- Deferred Social Security and GST
Government of Jersey News Release.