Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme extended until the end of October

12 May 2020 by
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme extended until the end of October

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has confirmed that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be extended until the end of October.

Speaking in the House of Commons this afternoon, Sunak confirmed that until the end of July there will be no changes to the scheme whatsoever, then from August to September the scheme will continue for all sectors and regions of the UK but with "greater flexibility".

Employers using the scheme will be able to bring furloughed employees back part-time, but will also be asked to share the cost of paying people's salaries with the government.

Full details will follow by the end of May but Sunak assured furloughed workers that they will continue receiving the same level of overall support through the combined efforts of employers and governments, meaning 80% of their salary up to £2,500 per month.

He said: "We stood behind Britain's workers and businesses as we came into this crisis, and we will stand behind them as we come through the other side."

UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: "An extension of the scheme is a sensible, positive and timely move. The scheme has been a crucial lifeline for many businesses and employees. It has helped hospitality overcome the initial crisis, saved businesses and kept jobs open.

"We will now be actively engaging with Government about how the scheme will operate beyond July. The full 80% may need to be extended past July for some businesses in sectors like hospitality that will still operate at much reduced levels of trade, or not yet be able to open. Our businesses will need as much warning as possible if they are to be expected to plan ahead for eventual venue re-openings.

"Increased flexibility for hospitality will be equally vital. Hospitality businesses are not able to go from standstill to full capacity overnight. The additional flexibility being introduced to the scheme will allow our workers to return to work in a safer, graduated way – that is crucial to help the Government to safeguard public health, jobs and businesses."

Photo: Shutterstock

The Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email

Start the working day with The Caterer’s free breakfast briefing email

Sign Up and manage your preferences below

Check mark icon
Thank you

You have successfully signed up for the Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email and will hear from us soon!

Jacobs Media Group is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.

close

Ad Blocker detected

We have noticed you are using an adblocker and – although we support freedom of choice – we would like to ask you to enable ads on our site. They are an important revenue source which supports free access of our website's content, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.

trade tracker pixel tracking