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Government-backed job retention scheme launched for construction sector

A scheme to protect jobs in the construction sector has been launched by the government and industry, following chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement of a plan to support employment across the UK economy. 

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Picture: Getty
Picture: Getty
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Chancellor launches job retention scheme for the construction sector #ukhousing

The ‘Construction Talent Retention Scheme’, which will launch later this month, will be an online portal to redeploy staff at risk of redundancy across the sector and enable temporary employee loans between businesses.

The announcement came shortly after a special Budget update today, where Mr Sunak unveiled a plan to pay businesses a £1,000 bonus for every furloughed member of staff they re-employ.


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Supported by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), alongside other major sector trade bodies, the Construction Talent Retention Scheme is intended to boost re-employment – matching displaced workers with employers seeking new staff.

An announcement said it was “based on a proven model to safeguard talent in the aerospace and automotive sectors”. It will also give redundant workers from other sectors a route to find new employment in construction.

Andy Mitchell, co-chair of the CLC, said: “This is a great example of what we can achieve when we work collaboratively with government, and we look forward to continuing in this spirit when the proposals and recommendations of our broader Roadmap to Recovery [plan] are published. In the meantime we will work with our members and industry stakeholders to encourage the scheme’s use and success.”

The not-for-profit programme now has funding secured until the end of the financial year. Businesses can register interest here.

In a speech focused on preventing mass unemployment in the UK following the huge economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting lockdown, Mr Sunak announced a number of other measures aimed at job retention and employment.

Businesses can receive the £1,000 grant if they re-employ furloughed staff continuously from November to January next year – paying them at least £520 each month.

With thousands of housing workers furloughed, particularly in repairs teams, this scheme could provide a cash injection for many housing providers as the trading environment returns to normal.

Mr Sunak also announced a ‘kick-start scheme’, where employers will be paid to create jobs for 16 to 24-year-olds at direct risk of long-term unemployment, with an initial £2bn of funding committed.

An additional £1bn was given to the Department for Work and Pensions, which will double the number of work coaches in job centres as well as other interventions.

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