New targeted furlough scheme will pay two thirds of worker wages
The Chancellor took the stage on Friday (9 October) to lay out a plan for industries, businesses and workers affected most by government-imposed measures.
The government has launched a targeted furlough scheme for businesses that need to close during winter – paying two thirds of each employees’ salary (or 67%) up to a maximum of £2,100 a month.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak made the announcement on Friday afternoon.
The scheme will begin on 1 November and will be available for six months, with a review point in January.
Sunak stated: “Throughout the crisis the driving force of our economic policy has not changed.
“I have always said that we will do whatever is necessary to protect jobs and livelihoods as the situation evolves.
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“The expansion of the Job Support Scheme will provide a safety net for businesses across the UK who are required to temporarily close their doors, giving them the right support at the right time.”
Number 10 / Flickr
An official government statement reads: “Under the scheme, employers will not be required to contribute towards wages and only asked to cover NICS and pension contributions.”
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It continues: “It is estimated that around half of potential claims are likely not to incur employer NICs or auto-enrolment pension contributions and so face no employer contribution.”
Businesses will only be eligible to claim the grant while they are subject to restrictions and employees must be off work for a minimum of seven consecutive days.
1/ I’m announcing today that I’m expanding the Jobs Support Scheme.
Where the coronavirus restrictions legally require business premises to close, in any region or nation of the UK, we will help pay employees’ wages. pic.twitter.com/d8bHbRrtDJ
The Chancellor had previously said that continuing the national furlough scheme was unviable, but has been coming under pressure from leaders in the north to introduce localised support.
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Earlier this week, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham vowed to fight back against any restrictions imposed without promises of financial security, claiming the north had been “treated with contempt” throughout the pandemic.
Over 561,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the UK so far.
Thursday saw the highest ever official figures for cases per day – with more than 17,000 recorded in a 24-hour period 7-8 October.
Read more about the expanded Job Support Scheme on the government website.
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11 people arrested during early-morning police raids across Manchester
Emily Sergeant
11 people have been arrested following a series of early morning police raids across Manchester this week.
In what formed part of Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) operation to disrupt, deter, and crack down on gang-related criminality across the region, officers from local neighbourhood teams, along with the Tactical Aid Unit, conducted warrants at seven addresses in Gorton and Openshaw, securing a total of 11 arrests along the way.
Nine males and two women, all between the ages of 16 and 28, were arrested.
They were each arrested on suspicion of a range of offences, including possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, and assault, and with investigations currently ongoing, they remain in custody for questioning.
#ARREST | Eleven arrested with drugs and weapons seized across multiple morning warrants in #Manchester
Nine men and two women, aged between 16 and 28, were arrested on suspicion of a range of offences including possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and assault. pic.twitter.com/onhDiqG4vb
Not only that, but police also seized a quantity of class A and B drugs, weapons including knives, and other ‘suspicious items’ for further investigation too.
Police say this ‘renewed work’ in targeting urban street gangs in the Manchester area comes off the back of a number of violent incidents in recent months – particularly including the shooting of a teenager in October.
Further activity and ‘proactive action’ is planned in the coming months as part of the ongoing operation, which, according to GMP, will see more criminality targeted, more arrests and charges, and more work with local partners to reduce and prevent all manner of crimes.
11 people have been arrested during early-morning police raids across Manchester / Credit: GMP
“We simply will not tolerate incidents which see young people being left with devastating injuries, lifelong issues, and being trapped in a vicious cycle from which they struggle to break out of,” commented Inspector Dan Pickavance, from GMP’s North Manchester neighbourhood team, following the raids this week.
“Our work today is designed to stop exactly those things.
“We want to get people who we suspect of crime off the streets, seize deadly weapons, and get drugs out of supply before they end up in the hands of vulnerable people.”
Featured Image – GMP
News
Five Manchester bars have just been named in the UK’s Top 50 Cocktail Bars
Daisy Jackson
Five bars in Manchester have just received one of the industry’s highest accolades – a place in the UK’s Top 50 Cocktail Bars.
In a glittering ceremony down in London today, the best in the cocktail industry were crowned, and our city has a lot to be proud of.
Manchester now has five cocktail bars in the Top 50, with two new entries this year.
And while Schofield’s has been toppled from the top spot this year, this award-winning bar on Quay Street is still heading home with a podium finish, now ranked the third-best bar in the entire UK.
One of the new faces on the prestigious list is Stray, a beautiful cocktail bar tucked into a corner of Mackie Mayor.
Famed for its tomato vine margaritas, as well as the pain-staking effort the team goes to to infuse their own spirits and make their own cordials, Stray has deservedly debuted at number 25. And we have a feeling they’re just getting started.
Red Light is another new name on the list, after taking home the coveted ‘One To Watch’ award in 2024.
Red LightStrayBlinker
The gorgeous LGBTQ+ cocktail bar on Little David Street at Kampus has placed 40th.
Blinker has held on to a place in the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list, dropping down to 22nd – still a phenomenal achievement for the Spring Gardens boozer.
Blinker has a dedicated martini menu, and also serves them alongside retro Breville toasties.
And finally, last but not least, Speak In Code on Jackson’s Row jumped up into 11th place.
This fantastic brick-lined bar opened properly (it was a pop-up before) just five years ago and it’s consistently topped national lists of the best bars ever since.
There were also amazing results for our sister cities in Sheffield and Leeds, with The Pearl at Parkhill at 44 and Public at 39 for the former, and Tabula Rasa at 27 and Below Stairs at 11 for the latter.
A huge congratulations to all these very worthy winners.
The Manc -
9th October 2020 
