Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice

*Updated 14 October 2020*

Are you:

• furloughed
• redundant
• self-employed
• unemployed
• at risk of redundancy?

Please call our Employability Helpline on 0303 123 1015 or email employability@southlanarkshire.gov.uk and our staff will be happy to help.

We are committed to supporting you if you need help to secure employment as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

There is a variety of help and support for South Lanarkshire residents including:

• help to find other suitable employment
• up-skilling and re-skilling support
• money advice
• health and wellbeing advice

Jobs portal

Register your details on our new jobs portal to get quick, free access to vacancies. We can also help you with training and skills.

Once you have completed your registration you can:

• search for jobs
• add your skills and qualifications to help employers find you
• upload your CV and a cover letter
• tailor your job preferences and get alerts

Employment support

• The Government Job Retention Scheme comes to an end on 31 October 2020. A £1000 bonus will now also be available to employers, retaining staff previously furloughed in work, to the end of January 2021. For more information see the UK government website.
• The Self Employed Income Support Scheme has paid out twice to eligible self-employed workers in June and August 2020.  This scheme has now been extended from 1 November 2020. For more information see the UK government website.

Our staff can provide advice, support and sign post you to agencies who may be able to help. This can be done remotely and online.

Please call our Employability Helpline on 0303 123 1015 or email employability@southlanarkshire.gov.uk and our staff will be happy to help. You can also email Routes to Work South at info@rtws.org or phone 0800 731 0444.

Job Support Scheme

A new Job Support Scheme was launched on 24 September 2020, designed to protect viable jobs in businesses who are facing lower demand over winter 2020 due to Covid-19, to help keep their employees in the workforce. The company will continue to pay its employee for time worked, but the burden of hours not worked will be split between the employer and the Government (through wage support) and the employee (through a wage reduction), and the employee will keep their job.

The Government will pay a third of hours not worked up to a cap, with the employer also contributing a third. This will ensure employees earn a minimum of 77% of their normal wages, where the Government contribution has not been capped. More information on the Job Support Scheme is available on the UK government website.

The Job Support Scheme has been further expanded, specifically for businesses required to temporarily close premises because of COVID-19 restrictions. For these particular businesses, two thirds of employees salary can be reimbursed, up to a value of £2100 per month from 1 November 2020 for a maximum six month period. These businesses may also be able to draw down a cash grant of up to £3000 per month. More information is available on the UK Government's Factsheet.

Please call our Employability Helpline on 0303 123 1015 or email employability@southlanarkshire.gov.uk and our staff will be happy to help. You can also email Routes to Work South at info@rtws.org or phone 0800 731 0444.

Transition Training Fund

A New Transition Training Fund has been announced, designed to support those over 25 to retrain in a new skill. More information is available at http://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/national-transition-training-fund

Financial support and money advice

Are you confused about what benefits you can claim or are you experiencing debt-related issues during the current situation with coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Our Money Matters team may be able to help. For more information see our Benefits and money advice page. 

If you are a council tenant and we struggling to pay your rent contact phone 0303 123 1012 and select your Housing Office from the selection. You can also email:

• housing.hamilton@southlanarkshire.gov.uk
• housing.eastkilbride@southlanarkshire.gov.uk
• housing.lanark@southlanarkshire.gov.uk
• housing.larkhall@southlanarkshire.gov.uk
• housing.cambuslang@southlanarkshire.gov.uk

If you need advice and support on Council Tax see the Council Tax coronavirus page.

Other sources of help:

• Credit Unions
• Scottish Welfare Fund
• Citizens Advice
• South Lanarkshire Council's Wellbeing Helpline
• NHS Lanarkshire's wellbeing helpline if you are experiencing anxiety, low mood or distress in relation to COVID-19. Call 01698 687567 10am-6pm, Monday to Friday.
• VASLan
• Information for young people
• South Lanarkshire College
• New College Lanarkshire
• Fairstart in South Lanarkshire
• Skills Development Scotland