Coronavirus 'Furlough' Scheme Extended Until End of April 2021
Yesterday the Chancellor announced that the furlough scheme will be extended until the end of April 2021. This gives employers the opportunity to utilise the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) for an additional month.
Information on the original extension of the CJRS can be found here. Currently, under the CJRS, the Government is contributing 80% of the salary of employees for hours not worked, and it had previously been announced that the 80% contribution level was to be reviewed in January 2021. However, the Chancellor's announcement has confirmed that the 80% contribution level will continue until the end of April 2021. Eligibility criteria in the UK wide scheme will remain the same and changes will apply to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland also.
The Chancellor also confirmed that the Budget, which can be expected on 3 March 2021, will set out the Government's next phase of measures to help employers project jobs.