Government Announces new Job Support Scheme
In a speech in the Commons today, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a new Job Support Scheme to help protect employment once the current furlough scheme ends. The...
Read Full ArticleRishi Sunak has today provided a recovery plan to stimulate the economy, including a Job Retention Bonus for employers.
Sunak also introduced a three-point plan for job recovery, cut VAT to 5 per cent for tourism and hospitality and launched a Kickstart Scheme to create new jobs for young people.
“Our plan has a clear goal: to protect, support and create jobs. It will give businesses the confidence to retain and hire. To create jobs in every part of our country. To give young people a better start. To give people everywhere the opportunity of a fresh start.”
–Rishi Sunak
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Here are the key takeaways from the Chancellor’s speech today:
Watch the short video to hear the industry reaction to the government's announcement:
"Buildings and construction together account for over a third of global energy use, and nearly 40 per cent of all CO2 emissions in the UK. To ensure a green and socially responsible recovery from this pandemic, we need to fundamentally change how we look at these buildings. We think of buildings as absorbers of energy, but they should become generators."
–Richard Hyams
Founder, astudio
In response to today’s mini-budget economic update from Rishi Sunak, Chris Venables, Head of Politics at Green Alliance, commented:
“Today’s speech could mark a really positive first step on the green recovery - but only if this ambition is continued throughout the rest of the year, and particularly in the Autumn budget.
“We urgently need to see a clear funding strategy for supporting public transport in its time of crisis, a long term strategy to ensure all buildings are warm and cheap to run, reversing the catastrophic declines in nature, and investing the technology of the future.
Richard Hyams, former Norman Foster architect and founder of astudio, added that the government’s pledge of a £3bn green investment package to decarbonise public buildings and minimise emissions from homes in the UK is a welcome step:
"Buildings and construction together account for over a third of global energy use, and nearly 40 per cent of all CO2 emissions in the UK. To ensure a green and socially responsible recovery from this pandemic, we need to fundamentally change how we look at these buildings. We think of buildings as absorbers of energy, but they should become generators.
"New insulation is vital in tackling fuel poverty as well as increasing the sustainability and affordability of existing homes, but we must also remember we face another crisis in affordable housing, with a third of local authorities missing their housebuilding targets even before the pandemic.”
Pradyumna Pandit, MD for Sustainability and Energy Services at Mitie, added that he was pleased to see the government leading by example with the fund to make public sector buildings more green, but highlighted that the private sector must also echo this:
“With around 65 per cent of the commercial building stock that will be used in 2060 already built, if the UK is going to meet its net zero emissions targets the government needs to encourage the private sector to make green investments too. As companies begin to get back to business, now is the time to ensure that green thinking is leading the UK’s economic recovery.”
"In addition to improving the energy efficiency of buildings themselves, we must turn to more sustainable construction methods. Critically important for an industry in which buildings and construction together account for over a third of global energy use and nearly 40 per cent of all CO2 emissions."
–Kirk Taylor
Head of Development, Kajima Partnerships
Kirk Taylor, Head of Development at Kajima Partnerships, commented on the importance of looking at every step of the building process, if we are to deliver a greener future:
"Many of the UK’s schools, hospitals and other public spaces are adapting to cater to future generations, evolving to be more resilient, more flexible, but also more sustainable through use of smarter, more intelligent buildings. While a pledge of £1bn towards improving the energy efficiency and environmental impact of these buildings is a promising step, there is further we can go to meet the net-zero carbon emission goals for 2050.
"In addition to improving the energy efficiency of buildings themselves, we must turn to more sustainable construction methods. Critically important for an industry in which buildings and construction together account for over a third of global energy use and nearly 40 per cent of all CO2 emissions.
"Offsite modular construction is one such solution that we now must seize with both hands. Modular construction can deliver high-quality classrooms, precision-engineered operating theatres, hospital wards and community care facilities affordably, sustainably, safely at pace."
Jonathan Hubbard, Head of Hospitality EMEA at Cushman & Wakefield, commented: “We welcome the Chancellor’s announcement today with measures to help the UK hospitality industry.
"The sector has long been campaigning for a cut in VAT to create a level playing field with other European destinations so whilst it is a positive step now, it needs to be seen as part of a longer-term initiative and not just a short term impetus to counter some of the impacts of the COVID-related lockdowns. The challenge facing the UK hospitality industry is substantial and this is only part of the solution."
Peter Webb, Managing Director at Electronic Temperature Instruments (ETI) a company that produces digital and infrared thermometers for the foodservice industry, also welcomes the cut:
“These are unprecedented times, therefore we need unprecedented measures. Hospitality businesses needed this welcome dose of reassurance and confidence in order to stabilise their business and support their workforces.
“This VAT cut confirms the government’s commitment to getting behind British business throughout this ongoing crisis and helps stabilise employment and supports productivity within this space. Traditionally, approximately 80 per cent of our business comes from the food and drink space; what we call ‘farm to plate’, so this move is welcomed.”
Picture: A photograph of Rishi Sunak in the House of Commons today. Image Credit: The Times
Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 08 July 2020
In a speech in the Commons today, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a new Job Support Scheme to help protect employment once the current furlough scheme ends. The...
Read Full ArticleThe TUC is calling on employers to offer furlough to all parents affected by the closure of schools, as all secondary schools will remain closed this week. The union...
Read Full ArticleAs the Chancellor announced an allocation of £55 billion to help tackle the virus in 2021, what were the reactions from the facilities and workplace management...
Read Full ArticleThe Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been officially extended until 31 March 2021, but what else do employers need to know? Alan Price, CEO of BrightHR, explains...
Read Full Article£215m of furlough funds have been returned to the government in circumstances where they were mistakenly claimed, or entirely unnecessary. HMRC have recorded...
Read Full ArticleThe government has said that up to £3.5bn may have been fraudulently or mistakenly claimed under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Speaking to the Commons...
Read Full ArticleFrom 1 September 2020, businesses using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will have to pay ten per cent of their furloughed employees’ wages. The...
Read Full ArticleResearch shows that the majority of people furloughed during lockdown continued to work for their employer, with men more likely to do so than women. The research,...
Read Full ArticleCompass Group, the UK’s largest food and support services company, has confirmed that it will not be taking up Job Retention Bonuses for any of its...
Read Full ArticleAs we start to exit the lockdown, the landscape does not become any easier or more certain for employers. The Chancellor’s proposed changes to furlough are...
Read Full Article