Politics
When does the furlough scheme extension end in the UK?
THE furlough scheme is supporting millions of workers during the coronavirus crisis.
The scheme pays workers 80% of wages for hours not worked, but when is it set to end? We explain all you need to know.
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Chancellor Rishi Sunak first announced the furlough scheme in March 2020[/caption]
When does the furlough scheme end?
The furlough scheme is currently set to run until the end of April 2021.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced in December last year that the he would extend the scheme from the end of March this year until April 30.
The furlough scheme has been extended a number of times and before that, had been due to end in October 2020.
The Chancellor first announced government support for jobs on March 20, 2020 at the height of the pandemic, and said it would only last until May 31, 2020.
The latest extension means that instead of just a few months the scheme will have run for one year.
Announcing the extension to the scheme in December last year, the Chancellor said: “Our package of support for businesses and workers continues to be one of the most generous and effective in the world.
“We know the premium businesses place on certainty, so it is right that we enable them to plan ahead regardless of the path the virus takes.
“We’re providing certainty and clarity by extending this support, as well as implementing our Plan for Jobs.”
How has the furlough scheme changed and will it be extended again?
Under current furlough rules, employees get up to 80% of wages paid for hours not worked, up to a maximum of £2,500.
We’ve asked the government if the £2,500 cap will remain in place going into April and we’ll update this story when we know more.
At the moment, employers are still able to choose to top up employee wages above the scheme grant at their own expense – but they don’t have to.
Workers also get their usual full salary for any hours they do work.
For hours not worked, employers will have to cover National Insurance and pension contributions.
The government was initially supposed to review furlough in January, but Mr Sunak brought his decision forward to give businesses certainty going into New Year.
It came ahead of the third national lockdown in England which the country continues to follow.
Furlough could be extended again by Mr Sunak – he is due to reveal the Spring Budget on March 3.
In it, he could announce a furlough scheme extension until “summer” according to reports.
Shops, pubs, restaurants and hairdressers are hoping the Prime Minister will shed some light on when they can open again when he unveils his road map on Monday.
The furlough scheme is being extended once again[/caption]
Who is eligible for the furlough extension?
The government said in December the eligibility criteria for the furlough scheme extension until he end of April will remain the same.
The rules for the March extension meant any UK organisation with employees can apply to furlough their workers.
This includes businesses, charities, recruitment agencies and public authorities, providing they have a UK bank accounts and UK PAYE schemes.
Workers can be on any type of contract, meaning you could still be furloughed if you are part-time or a contract worker.
And like last time, it is down to the organisation to arrange the help, rather than the employees.
The previous rules meant businesses are allowed to bring back furloughed employees on a part-time basis, although the government hasn’t confirmed if this is the case for the April 2021 deadline.
Workers must have been on payroll before October 30 to get furlough.
Can I be made redundant if I’m on furlough?
EVEN though furlough is designed to keep workers employed, unfortunately it doesn’t protect you from being made redundant.
But it doesn’t affect your redundancy pay rights if you are let go from your job amid the coronavirus crisis.
Your employer should still carry out a fair redundancy process.
You will be entitled to be consulted on the redundancy lay-off first and to receive a statutory redundancy payment, as long as you’ve been working somewhere for at least two years.
How much you’re entitled to depends on your age and length of service, although this is capped at 20 years. You’ll get:
- Half a week’s pay for each full year you were under 22,
- One week’s pay for each full year you were 22 or older, but under 41,
- One and half week’s pay for each full year you were 41 or older.
Sadly, you won’t be entitled to a payout if you’ve been working for your employer for fewer than two years.
There should be a period of collective consultation as well as time for individual ones if your employer wants to make 20 or more employees redundant within 90 days or each other.
You are also entitled to appeal the decision by claiming unfair dismissal within three months of being let go.
If you’re made redundant after your company has gone into administration you can claim redundancy pay via Gov.uk.
Large companies (with more than 250 employees) have to meet a financial impact test, as part of current rules.
It means the scheme is only available to those whose turnover has stayed the same or is lower than before Covid-19.
There is no financial impact test for SMEs or charities.
If you’re self-employed, is also set to announce the details of the fourth instalment of the support scheme.
What is happening to the Job Support Scheme?
The Job Support Scheme (JSS) was set to replace furlough and run for six months from the start of November 2020 to the end of April 2021
It’s not clear yet what will happen with JSS and if it will be available after the furlough scheme ends.
The scheme aims to continue to support businesses and their employees facing coronavirus-related woes, and was expected to come into effect in December.
The Job Support Scheme was announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in October 2020.
The Chancellor hoped the JSS extension would reduce the millions of job losses expected when furlough ends.
But rising cases of coronavirus, another lockdown and a troubling economic outlook led Mr Sunak to continue the furlough scheme.
Under the JSS, employees could work one day a week and earn up to 73% of their wages.
It was designed to help employees working for businesses that have shut down in areas put under previous Tier 2 and Tier 3 restrictions.
Employees on the scheme would have needed to have worked a minimum of 33% of their hours to be eligible, and businesses must contribute a third of wages.
more money news
More than 160,000 Brits who have lost their job due to the Covid crisis will get a new bumper package of support.
Here’s how to get furloughed if you’re struggling juggling childcare and working from home.
And we explain your redundancy rights if you’ve been furloughed.
