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<p>The objective of the CJRS is to enable employers to keep people in employment.
In order to achieve this, the grants compensate employers for the payments that they
are contractually obliged to make in order to avoid the need for redundancies. Covering
maternity suspension would go beyond the objectives of the scheme. It is also the
case that the level of support provided through the CJRS must remain the same for
all employers and employees, and that the CJRS is only one part of a wider package
of support for business and individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p>
</p><p>Since March 2020, the Government has provided support for people, businesses
and public services totalling an estimated £280 billion. In particular, businesses
have received billions in loans, tax deferrals, Business Rate reliefs, and general
and sector-specific grants. This support can be used by businesses to top up the CJRS
grant, ensuring that they can suspend pregnant employees on full pay.</p>
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