Coronavirus: Furlough scheme extended

UPDATED following the Chancellor’s statement on 5 November 2020

The Job Retention Scheme – more commonly referred to as the furlough scheme – was originally intended to come to an end on 31st October, however with a second national lockdown being announced the scheme has been extended to March 2021

We don’t have full details of the extended scheme yet, but here’s what we know so far:

Eligible employers

  • If you have a UK bank account and a PAYE scheme then you can make a claim.
  • You don’t have to have used the scheme before.

Eligible employees

  • Employees must have been reported on an RTI submission on or before 30 October 2020.
  • They don’t need to have been previously furloughed.
  • Employees can continue to work reduced hours and still qualify for furlough payments.
  • Employees who were on the payroll on 23 September who have since been made redundant can now be re-employed and claimed for.

What can be claimed?

  • The government will cover 80% of wages for hours not worked in November, up to a cap of £2,500.
  • Employers will have to cover employer NIC and pension contributions.
  • Employers can of course top up wages to the full 100%.
  • The minimum claim period is 7 days.

For more information

If you have any questions about this or anything else please contact me.

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