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<p><del class="ministerial">As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear,
the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and
we have been clear in our intention that no one should be penalised for doing the
right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we continue to keep the situation
under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">It
is possible that employees who have received a shield letter will be able to work
from home and therefore be entitled to normal pay. We would encourage employers to
make this happen where possible. For those that cannot work from home, we are encouraging
employers to make use of the Government’s Job Retention Scheme where possible. Under
the scheme small and large employers will be eligible to apply for a government grant
of 80% of workers’ salaries up to £2,500 a month. The scheme will be backdated to
1st March and available for at least three months, with the first grants expected
to be paid within weeks.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">There is also the Self-Employed
Income Support Scheme which will help eligible freelance workers receive up to £2,500
per month in grants for at least three months.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The
Government has set up an advice contact centre and website exclusively to help those
who have been identified as shielding to access support. </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">A
new Local Support System in England will make sure those individuals that have been
identified by the NHS to stay at home, and who are without a support network of friends
and family, will receive essential supplies such as groceries and medicine.</ins></p><p><ins
class="ministerial">Everyone infected with Covid-19 or required to self-isolate will
be treated as having Limited Capability for Work in ESA and UC without the requirement
for fit notes or undergoing a Work Capability Assessment. Those applying for Contributory
ESA will be able to claim from day 1 – as opposed to day 8 - and we have removed the
need for face-to-face assessment. </ins></p>
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