Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced the extension of the Government job retention scheme until the end of October.

Mr Sunak says the furlough scheme to pay wages of workers on leave because of coronavirus has already supported 7.5 million jobs in the UK and almost 1 million businesses

It will be extended for four months until the end of October. No changes will be made to the scheme until the end of July.

The chancellor said that from August the scheme will continue, but offer more flexibility to support a transition back to work.

The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), meanwhile, has opened for applications.

Announced last month, the SEISS opened on Wednesday, 13 May.

Self-employed workers financially hurt by the coronavirus will be able to reclaim 80% of their monthly profits for three months, up to a maximum 拢7,500.

Our Workforce Lead Kris Ambler said: 鈥淭his announcement will be welcomed by our members, many of whom are self-employed.

鈥淔or some this support won鈥檛 come soon enough and we hope that payments will arrive before the end of this month as indicated by finance minister Rishi Sunak.鈥�

Visit our FAQs for more information on the furlough and SEISS schemes, including how to apply.