The introduction of this unprecedented scheme has been welcomed by business and employers to help protect jobs – the new guidance does cover many of the necessary details but there are still a number of questions to be finalised. If you have any other comments or questions please get in touch with [email protected] and [email protected] so we can share your feedback into the CBI and the channels into Government.
All UK employers with a PAYE scheme will be able to access support to continue paying part of their employees’ salary for those that would otherwise have been laid off during this crisis.
This applies to employees who have been asked to stop working, but who are being kept on the pay roll, otherwise described as ‘furloughed workers’.
HMRC will reimburse 80% of their wages, up to £2,500 per month.
The scheme will cover the cost of wages backdated to March 1st and is initially open for 3 months, but will be extended if necessary.
The scheme covers employees in your employment on the 28th February.
Employees are not able to work during the time but are able to volunteer (for the NHS, charities but not for your business).
Employers are able to roll-on and roll-off employees with a minimum of 3 weeks.
Employees on furlough have the same rights as previously, which includes holiday accrual.
The portal is currently being set up by HMRC and we can expect to see the first grants being paid by the end of April.
As it is a grant, the employer does not need to pay the funds back.
