An appeals process has been set up for Jersey businesses wanting to challenge demands to repay Covid wage subsidies.

It will consider what they owe, and the time they have been given to pay the money back.

The Co-Funded Payroll Scheme was set up during the pandemic, to help employers pay staff wages while their trade was affected.

It supported more than 15,000 jobs in the almost two years it was open, but the Auditor General later found more than £5 million was overclaimed.

One of Chief Minister Deputy Kristina Moore's promises in her government's first 100 days was to establish an appeals process for firms disputing demands to repay some of what they received.

She says the process will ensure business have been treated fairly and are able to make repayments over a 'more compassionate time-frame.'

“I am all too aware that people have been worried about these repayment requirements for several months. The process we have established has been designed to bring a swift resolution to appeals while minimising the impact on business owner’s time.

We are aware that many businesses are still recovering from the impact of Covid and are currently dealing with various global challenges. We are committed to supporting them where we can and enabling a thriving local business environment.”

More information about the appeals process can be found here.