Call To Extend Co-Funded Payroll Through Winter

A group of events companies want the co-funded payroll scheme to remain in place until March 2022.

It was just extended until September, with an extra £3.6million allocated by the Treasury Minister.

The scheme was originally due to end in March, but following the winter circuit-breaker, it was made available until June, then August, and then September because of the rising case rates and the continued restrictions placed on many businesses.

All restrictions were due to be lifted on 14 June, but that has been delayed several times since.

James Robertson, who runs the Event Shop, says keeping wage subsidies available for longer is 'non-negotiable'.

"If restrictions were lifted in September or earlier, it doesn't mean that we're going to get an automatic return to high levels of business, it takes time, events need a lead-in time, and whilst this period grows between now and Spring next year, wages still need to be paid.

"Businesses are already so close, they can't extract any more money out of their business, and for them to now have to think about funding employees wages without any additional support is going to be a step too far for some."

The co-funded payroll subsidy is up to 90% of an employee's wage, up to a cap of £2,500 a month.

Retail and health and wellbeing businesses are also eligible to apply again.

The Fixed Cost, Visitor Accommodation, and Visitor Attraction and Events Schemes will all run through the winter and into the new year.

Mr. Robertson says the wage subsidies need to run until then too because meaningful business won't return until next Spring.

"We've missed out on the whole of this summer. There are many Christmas parties that are no longer going to go ahead, they've already been cancelled.

"You then go into that period of January, February, March into the early April which is typically the quietest months of the events calendar, and then we're hoping to get going.

"Usually around Liberation Day onwards is when the big events start kicking in again and that is probably going to be the earliest time that we're going to get some regular amounts of business."

A media briefing will take place at 3pm tomorrow (11 August) to set out plans to lift Jersey's remaining COVID restrictions.

It will be led by Senators Lyndon Farnham and Ian Gorst.

Ministers are meeting at 4pm today (10 August) to discuss this and what's been described as 'other COVID-related issues'.

Mr. Robertson says while damage has already been done this year, he and other members of the Event, Entertainment, and Nightclub Stakeholders Group want firm dates and for them to be stuck to.

"We can't undo the events that have been cancelled over the last couple of months because of the constant change in dates, but at least it will give us a positive outlook for the future knowing that we can actually start getting back to events when we do get through next year."

He's also called for decent notice on when restrictions will end so they can plan properly for it, after criticising the decision to only give a day's notice on lifting limits on the number of people who can gather in private gardens.

"We do have to take the positives that we are moving in that direction, but there are some very interesting restrictions in there if you read between the lines.

"They give with one hand and take with the other.

"For example, at a private event, you're not allowed to have a cash bar so it's got to be pre-paid, but then if you're having a fundraising event, you are allowed a cash bar.

"It doesn't make any sense."

Speaking to Channel 103 last week, Economic Development Minister Senator Lyndon Farnham said if the scheme needs to be extended beyond September, it will be.