As you have probably heard the Job Support Scheme, which was scheduled to come in on Sunday 1st November, has been postponed.
Instead, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), also known as the Furlough scheme, has been extended to the end of March 2021.
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is being extended until March but it is likely that it could be extended if a further lockdown is imposed. The level of the grant will mirror levels available under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme in August. This means the government will pay 80% of wages up to a cap of £2,500 and employers will pay employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and pension contributions only for the hours the employee does not work.
Businesses will still have the flexibility to bring furloughed employees back to work on a part time basis or furlough them full-time, and will only be asked to cover National Insurance and employer pension contributions.
As under the current Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, flexible furloughing will be allowed in addition to full-time furloughing. Further details, including how to claim this extended support through an updated claims service, will be provided shortly.
The Job Support Scheme will be introduced following the end of the furlough scheme.
There will be further guidance from the Government in due course.
If you would like any advice relating to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme please do not hesitate to contact me on annabel.cole@cognitivelaw.co.uk.
For more information on legal issues relating to the coronavirus pandemic do take a look at our Coronavirus and The Law page.
By Annabel Cole