Job Retention Scheme
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) will remain open until the end of October 2020, it has been announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. New flexibility allowing those furloughed to return to part-time working will be introduced from August 2020, when employers will also be asked to pay a percentage towards the salaries of their furloughed staff.
On 12 May 2020, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, announced in the House of Commons that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), which had been due to end on 30 June 2020, will be extended by a further four months, to 31 October 2020.
Furloughed workers will continue to receive the lower of 80% of their normal wages, or £2,500 per month, during that time.
The Chancellor also announced that, from August, all sectors will be given ‘greater flexibility’ with furloughed workers able to return to work part-time. Employers will be asked to pay an as yet unspecified percentage towards the salaries of their furloughed staff. The employer payments will substitute the contribution the government is currently making, ensuring that staff continue to receive 80% of their salary, up to £2,500 a month.
Figures released by the government today show that 7.5 million jobs have been furloughed under the CJRS, with 935,000 employers furloughing staff and claiming a total of £10.1 billion to date.