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<p>The early years sector has benefitted from continued entitlement funding during
the COVID-19 outbreak, on which we are planning to spend over £3.6 billion in 2020-21.
On 20 July, we announced our commitment to continue funding local authorities for
childcare this autumn term, at the same levels as seen prior to the COVID-19 outbreak,
regardless of whether fewer children are attending. If providers are open but caring
for fewer children as a result of low demand, either from parents or due to public
health reasons, they can continue to be funded for the autumn term at broadly the
levels that they would have expected to see had there been no COVID-19 outbreak.</p><p>Early
years providers have also been able to access a comprehensive package of business
support, including a business rates holiday, a small business grant of £10,000, business
loans and access to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Self-Employment Income
Support Scheme. More details are available at:<br> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures#funding"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures#funding</a>.</p><p>To
provide additional support to businesses to retain employees as demand grows, we are
introducing the Job Retention Bonus after the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme ends
on 31 October 2020.</p><p>The Job Retention Bonus is a one-off payment of £1,000 to
employers for each employee who was ever furloughed, has been continuously employed
until 31 January 2021 and is still employed by the same employer as of 31 January
2021.</p><p>Employees must have been continuously employed, earn an average of more
than £520 per month in November, December and January and have been furloughed and
successfully claimed for under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme at any point to
be eligible.</p><p>Further details about the Job Retention Bonus are available at:<br><a
href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/job-retention-bonus" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/job-retention-bonus</a>.</p>
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