The Government has issued updated guidance regarding the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme following the confirmed extension of the scheme. You can find the updated guidance here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme
This is a temporary scheme that was initially put in place for 4 months starting from 1 March 2020 and will continue in its current form until the end of July.
Employers can use the scheme anytime during this period. From August, employers currently using the scheme will have more flexibility to bring their furloughed employees back to work part time whilst still receiving support from the scheme.
This will run for three months from August through to the end of October. Employers will be asked to pay a percentage towards the salaries of their furloughed staff. The employer payments will substitute the contribution the government is currently making, ensuring that staff continue to receive 80% of their salary, up to £2,500 a month.
More specific details and information around its implementation will be made available by the end of May.
The guidance has also been updated to confirm what employees can do on furlough:
- take part in training
- volunteer for another employer or organisation
The Government has also moved the ‘Employees that you can claim for’ guidance section to a new guide called ‘Check which employees you can put on furlough to use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’ which can be found here:
