Today (30 September) sees the end of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), the withdrawal of the small employer sick pay rebate and the closure of the Apprenticeship Incentive, which the FSB says means that small employers could find their operating environment become ‘less hospitable’ as of 1 October.
It warns that businesses are facing numerous challenges on top of this, including increases in VAT, staff and supply shortages, and energy price spikes.
Furlough
The scheme - commonly referred to as furlough - launched in March 2020. It provided 60 per cent of the wages of furloughed staff.
According to HMRC, around a fifth of employees in businesses with two- to-four staff were still on full or partial furlough at the beginning of September. Small businesses have used the scheme more than large firms.
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