Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Further Guidance – 12 May 2020

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) is a temporary scheme open to all UK employers to help fund employee’s salaries and to prevent redundancies.  We refer you to our earlier update of 27 March in which we detailed how the scheme works.

The scheme has already been successful with over £10 billion being paid to businesses and the Government have now announced that the scheme, which was originally open for 4 months, is being extended to the end of October.

Main points
 

• All furloughed workers will continue to receive 80% of their current salary, up to £2,500 per month.
   
• From 1 August, furloughed workers will be able to return to work part-time with their employers being asked to pay a percentage towards the salaries of the furloughed staff.  The Government’s contribution will decrease and the employer will be asked to make up the difference.
   
• The Government is also exploring ways in which people can do additional training or learn new skills while they are furloughed  and their employer is receiving money under this Scheme.

The Chancellor has  stated that this 4 month extension will give additional flexibility to businesses while protecting the livelihoods of the British people and our future economic prospects.

We hope that this provides employers with some reassurance that they will continue to be supported by the Government in this tough period.   

More specific details are expected later this month.