Economy Minister, Ken Skates MS Briefing

Economy Minister, Ken Skates MS has given a briefing (20/10/20) where he confirmed that for the period of the ‘fire break’ lockdown (6pm on Friday, 23 October until 00.01am on Monday 9 November), employers in Wales will be able to access:

• the furlough scheme until the end of October for any eligible employees (those who had been furloughed for three consecutive weeks by the end of June)
• the Job Support Scheme from 1 November, with access to the expanded Job Support Scheme where the business is closed by law.

 
This is in addition to the grants - £1,000 for tourism businesses with an Rateable Value up to £12,000 and £5,000 for tourism businesses with an RV of £12,001-£50,000) which will be paid automatically, and with the ability to apply for discretionary grants. Details are published here.
 
Business must be closed by 6pm on Friday with customers required to depart before then (except where this would make them homeless).
 
Confirmations by the First Minister have been given that the ‘fire break’ will end at 00.01am on Monday 9 November, when a new set of simplified rules will apply across Wales. Work is starting on these requirements.