HOT OFF THE PRESS:

Latest update on the further extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Today at 12.30pm Rishi Sunak announced a further extension to the CJRS.

We won’t know the details of this further extension until the end of May, but here are the headlines:

1. For the month of July there will be no change to the furlough scheme (continues at 80% contribution from the government).
2. The scheme will also run through the months of August and September for all sectors and regions of the UK, but with greater flexibility to support the transition back to work. We will need to wait for the details of this, but the implication is that employers currently using the scheme will be able to bring furloughed employees back part-time (and still get government support towards salaries).
3. Government have said that they will ask employers to start sharing the costs of paying people’s salaries. What they mean by this is not at all clear. So, we will have to wait for further details on this one.

What to do now?

There is no doubt that this will be incredibly reassuring for many businesses across the UK.

Many of you are ready to start bringing employees back to work, but equally many will need to stay closed for now. If you are in a sector that is closed for now, but expecting to reopen in July, then there is some preparation you can be doing now.

You will need to undertake a Coronavirus Risk Assessment to ensure that the safety of your employees and customers has been considered and documented.

Why not subscribe to our subscription service? We have updated our template letters to include the furlough scheme letters you will need.

If that isn’t enough – we have a 20% discount if you apply the code COVID19.