Restaurants, bars and sole traders added to payroll scheme

Friday 14 January 2022

Restaurants, bars and sole traders will now be able to receive financial support from the co-funded payroll scheme for last month and this month.

Ministers have responded to calls from business groups, including the Jersey Hospitality Association and Chamber of Commerce, for more businesses to be added to the list.

However, not all sectors calling to be included have become eligible. Retail and hairdressing, and other close contact services, have not yet been added because ministers say then need more information in order to understand the impact that public health measures are having on them.

Businesses making the cut are restaurants, bars, coffee and sandwich shops, taxis, cinemas and the arts, and sole traders in all qualifying sectors. 

These sectors are in addition to hotels, event organisers and other hospitality businesses, which were already eligible.

This week, Express reported on the concerns of the JHA and Chamber. 

In response, the Government said that Ministers would be meeting to review the latest incarnation of the scheme, which was launched before Christmas.

Pictured: Restaurants are now included in the latest co-funded payroll scheme.

Treasury Minister Susie Pinel said: “When the scheme came to an end late last year, we gave a commitment that we would review it if public health measures meant that businesses required additional support. 

“We have listened to the representations and have agreed that expanding the scheme to include these additional sectors is supportive.”

Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham said: “By extending payroll support eligibility, we are helping to protect businesses and jobs in the sectors which continue to be most severely affected by Covid.”

Businesses will be able to claim up to £1,250 per employee if their income for December 2021 fell by more than 20% compared to December 2019. The scheme’s administration is being prepared, and Government say that an announcement will be made when guidelines are completed, and businesses are able to submit their claims.  

Pictured: Jersey Hospitality Association Chief Executive Claire Boscq.

In February, businesses will be able to submit claims for January if their detriment is more than 20% compared to January 2020.

JHA Chief Executive Claire Boscq said the announcement was a huge relief and she thanks ministers for listening to the concerns of industry.

“When I read the release announcing the reintroduction of the scheme on 22 December, I knew straightaway that something wasn’t right, and since then it’s been a worrying time for a lot of businesses, especially after 4 January, when the work-from-home recommendation came in.

“I spoke to Senator Farnham straightaway, and was very supportive. It is also reassuring that sole traders have been included as a huge number of them are currently affected.

“I can only imagine it was a mistake which has now been rectified, but I can’t say for sure.

“Although we’ve had a few weeks of worry, I would like to praise the Council of Ministers for listening, engaging and making the right decision.

“After all, we’re all essentially on the same side: we want the island to thrive and get through the pandemic with our economy intact.”