Covid 19 – What is happening to the furlough scheme?

The UK Government’s furlough scheme was first introduced in March 2020, in a bid to prevent mass redundancies as Coronavirus gripped the UK.

Subsidising the wages of people who can’t do their jobs due to Covid-19 restrictions, or due to the fact that there simply isn’t enough work available, the furlough scheme has already been utilised by around 10 million people in the UK.

And, as the second wave of the virus brings new restrictions and challenges, on November 1^st, the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced he would extend the scheme to the 31^st March, 2021.

This has been welcomed by many struggling businesses, who have been left with no other option but to close their doors following the announcement of month-long lock down restrictions in England, including the closure of pubs, gyms, restaurants, and all non-essential shops.

Will it be any different from the original scheme?

 In recent months, businesses have had to top up furloughed wages by 20%, with the government paying 60%. Earlier in the year, under the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme, employees placed on leave received 80% of their pay, up to a maximum of £2,500 a month.

The good news is, the scheme will revert back to its original offering, with the Government pledging to pay the full 80% of employees’ wages, with the employer only covering pension and National Insurance contributions.

Does the new furlough scheme apply across the UK?

Yes, any employee working within in the UK is eligible to take advantage of the furlough scheme, with Mr Sunak confirming that the scheme will apply to the whole of the UK.

The chancellor has been quoted in the press stating that his intention was: “to give businesses security through the winter. The security we are providing will protect millions of jobs.”

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