On 31 October 2020 HM Treasury extended the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) in order to provide support to businesses and employees due to the new national lockdown announced on the same day. Although the lockdown does not start until 5 November 2020 the CJRS remains open and available to businesses from 1 November 2020.
The support available under the extended scheme is the same as under the CJRS in August. The Government will pay 80% of wages up to a cap of £2,500. Flexible furlough as well as full time furlough both remain an option under the extended scheme.
Neither the employer or employee need to have used the CJRS previously and the scheme is available in respect of employees who were on the PAYE payroll on 30 October 2020. The grant is available for the hours that the employee is not working and the employer will continue to pay employer NIC’s and pension contributions and pay for any hours worked. As previously the employer can chose to top up the grant at their own expense.
The Job Support Scheme (JSS) that we previously reported was due to come into effect today, has been postponed until the CJRS ends.
HM Treasury’s press release in full can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/furlough-scheme-extended-and-further- economic-support-announced.
If you have any queries regarding this communication or need employment advice please do contact a member of the Employment Team on employment@rowberrymorris.co.uk or by telephone on 0118 958 5611.