Today (10^th June) is the last day that you can add anyone new to the furlough scheme. However, there has been some small changes to this rule. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, announced yesterday that parents returning from certain types of parental leave will be eligible for the furlough scheme when they return to work. Even if this is after the 10^th June cut-off date. As long as their employer has previously furloughed employees, even if this is only 1 employee, then they will be able to furlough someone returning from parental leave.

The following statutory leave is covered under these new rules:

• Maternity leave;
• Paternity leave;
• Adoption leave;
• Shared parental leave; and
• Parental bereavement leave.

At the moment, this is all the information that we’ve been given, however, there is due to be more details released on this on Friday 12^th June. As always, watch this space and we will update you as soon as we know more.

In the meantime, if you have any employees who are on eligible parental leave, you don’t need to do anything right now.

You can read the government announcement here