Staffordshire businesses are being urged to find out more about all available support to them following the introduction of a second lockdown yesterday (Thursday).

The national Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, also known as the furlough scheme, has now been extended and there is also a package of support initiatives that have been put in place by Staffordshire County Council and its partners.

In addition, local businesses can find out more about the Kickstart scheme for 16 to 24-year-olds, which enables them to take on fully funded work placements. The county council says it will shortly launch a Start Up Loans Scheme, a Student Start Up Scheme and a digital Start Up Prospectus for potential new businesses in Staffordshire.

The furlough will be extended until March 2021 with employees receiving 80% of their current salary for hours not worked, up to a maximum of £2,500. Anyone made redundant after 23 September 23 can be rehired and put back on furlough. The Job Support Scheme, which was scheduled to come in on Sunday November 1, has been postponed until the furlough scheme ends.

Business premises forced to close in England are to receive grants worth up to £3,000 per month under the Local Restrictions Support Grant and £1.1bn is being given to district and borough councils, distributed on the basis of £20 per head, for one-off payments to enable them to support businesses more broadly.

Any businesses wanting more information on support programmes should contact the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub by clicking here or call 0300 111 8002.

Staffordshire County Council leader Alan White said: "We have been committed to supporting our businesses in any way we can, working closely with our partners at the LEP and district and borough councils since the initial lockdown in March.

"We are now facing huge challenges with the introduction of new restrictions today which will close all but essential retail outlets. The furlough scheme has been extended which we welcome, and we want to ensure that businesses are fully aware of all support programmes that are available to them.

"Throughout this period we will send regular communications to them, with our partners so they have the most up-to-date information."