You may be aware that changes have been made to the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, but did you know that the furlough scheme will close to new entrants on 30 June 2020?
So, if you are planning to furlough any additional employees, because of the minimum furlough period of 3 weeks, you need to do it by 10th June or you won’t be able to access the scheme and put them on furlough later.
From 1st July, you will be able to bring workers back part-time. This was originally announced to start on 1st August but has since been brought forward. Workers will be able to work as much or as little as the business needs.
You can decide the times and shift patterns you need your staff to work and you will be responsible for paying them for any time that they work. You can furlough them for their remaining contracted hours and claim 80% furlough pay for that number of hours.
If staff stay on furlough, further changes are being introduced from 1st August, when employers will be required to pay employers national insurance and pension contributions. The Government’s contribution reduces to 70% in September and 60% in October before the scheme closes on 31st October.
Further details can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-extends-self-employment-support-scheme-and-confirms-furlough-next-steps
The Government is set to make a further announcement on 12th June.