Government extends Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme until October
18 May 2020
Last week, the Chancellor announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) will be extended until the end of October.
The scheme will continue in its current form, which allows employers to claim back 80% of an employee's wages up to a cap of £2,500 until the end of July. It is expected that the rules of the scheme will change from August to allow staff to return to work part-time with employers contributing towards their wages. Further details about the changes will be announced before the end of May.
The government's latest figures show that 1 million businesses have applied for support for over 7.5 million workers since the scheme began, which equates to around 27% of the total workforce.
The extension of the CJRS could allow businesses to reopen with fewer staff in the coming weeks whilst some remain on furlough. It is hoped that this will support business through a period in which they are likely to see less demand for some products or services or reduced productivity as a result of social distancing guidelines.
For further information and advice please contact the Employment Team or your usual Wilsons contact.
We will shortly announce the date of our next free webinar, where you will have the opportunity to ask members of our Employment Team questions about the government's post-lockdown arrangements and planning for a return to the workplace.
