The wages of almost 100,000 jobs in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have been supported since the launch of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), says the UK Government.

The CJRS and SEISS were announced by the Chancellor, and are run by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), as part of a package of support measures for businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Businesses have furloughed 68,500 jobs in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, up to 31 May 2020, since the CJRS was launched on 20 April 2020. This is to help UK employers who have been severely affected by coronavirus to retain their employees and protect the UK economy.

An announcement was made on 12 May 2020 that the furloughing scheme will run until the end of October to continue the support for jobs and businesses as people return to work.

Meanwhile, the self-employed scheme was rolled out in May and has financially supported 29,200 self-employed individuals in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly who have been adversely affected by the coronavirus outbreak and paid grants worth a total of £82,100,000 (£82 million) up to 31 May.

The Chancellor announced an extension to this scheme at the end of May. Those eligible to claim the SEISS grant will be able to claim a second and final grant in August of up to £6,750.