Coronavirus Job Retention scheme deadline changed to March 19
The government has today extended the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) eligibility date to 19 March 2020, ensuring thousands more employees can receive financial support.
Under the scheme announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak last month, employers can claim a grant covering 80% of the wages for a furloughed employee, subject to a cap of £2,500 a month.
To qualify and to protect against fraudulent claims, individuals originally had to be employed on February 28 2020.
But following a review of the delivery system and to ensure the scheme helps as many people as possible, new guidance published today has confirmed the eligibility date has been extended to March 19 2020– the day before the scheme was announced.
Employers can claim for furloughed employees that were employed and on their PAYE payroll on or before 19 March 2020. This means that the employee must have been notified to HMRC through an RTI submission notifying payment in respect of that employee on or before 19 March 2020.
More information for employers is available here.
Businesses urged to support care workers
Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced at today’s Downing Street press conference that the UK will be introducing a “single brand” for social care, to replicate the “famous” blue and white logo for the NHS.
Businesses, including supermarkets, will be asked to give care staff the same priority as NHS workers, and the UK will undertake a recruitment drive, with the government paying for “induction training”.
“I know that many will answer our call,” he said.
Additional new guidance
Jim Harra, First Permanent Secretary and CEO at HMRC explains what employees need to know about getting government support if they have been furloughed – click here.
A message from Environment Minister Rebecca Pow to thank those working in the waste business is available to read here.
Can your business offer Coronavirus support?
NEW: Personal protective equipment (PPE) hub
A new hub containing guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE), and infection prevention and control (IPC) is now available, containing information for both health and social care settings and other workers and sectors. Click here for more information.
The hub also links to the Cross-government UK-wide PPE plan to ensure that critical PPE is delivered to those on the frontline. This includes a new ‘Make’ strategy of encouraging UK manufacturers to produce PPE. We would welcome support from manufacturers who wish to offer their production facilities where they can meet the required specifications for use by the NHS and care sector – click here. New offers can continue to be made via www.gov.uk/coronavirus-support-from-business.
NEW: Help the government increase coronavirus (COVID-19) testing capacity
There is also a new hub (click here) for businesses seeking to help the government increase testing capacity in the UK as part of its strategy to protect the NHS and save lives. It includes a raft of information, including specification for the required antibody test and guidance about the criteria laboratories need to meet to partner with a local NHS trust. Businesses can provide support in a number of ways:
- Help supply materials and equipment – click here
- Help supply complete testing methods – click here
- Help provide laboratory capacity – click here
- Help provide new testing methods in 4 key areas – click here
Can your business offer further support?
The UK Government is looking for businesses who can offer support in the multiple areas and has set up an online tool where businesses can register. To offer support click here.
Business support packages: latest updates
A new Coronavirus Business Support Hub is now available at gov.uk/business-support.
The hub brings together key information for businesses including on funding and support, business closures, your responsibilities as an employer and managing your business during coronavirus. The hub also includes information for self-employed people and sole traders.
Funding and support
- Financial support for businesses – click here
- Claim for your employee’s wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – click here
- Apply for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme – click here
- Defer your VAT payments – click here
- Prevent your business from being evicted – click here
Support for the retail, hospitality, leisure and nursery sectors
- Grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000 – click here
- 12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality, leisure and nursery businesses in England – click here
Self-employed people and sole traders
- Claim a grant through the Self-employment Income Support Scheme – click here
- Self-employment and Universal Credit – click here
- If you cannot pay your tax bill on time – click here
- Carry out work in people’s homes safely (tradespeople) – click here
- Drivers’ hours rules relaxations – click here
- Negotiate a mortgage payment holiday – click here
Your responsibilities as an employer
- What you need to do and how to keep your employees safe – click here
- Claim for your employee’s wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – click here
- Statutory Sick Pay (SSP): employer guide – click here
- Claim back Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) – click here
- Find out what to do if your employee needs time off to look after dependants – click here
- Which expenses are taxable if your employees work from home – click here
- Apprenticeships: how they can continue – click here
- Guidance for Tier 2, 4 and 5 visa sponsors of people affected by coronavirus – click here
Managing your business during coronavirus
- Cleaning your workplace safely – click here
- Handwashing advice posters – click here
- Rules that have been relaxed to help businesses during the coronavirus pandemic – click here
- Construction sites and safe working – click here
- Farmers, landowners and rural businesses – click here
- Food businesses – click here
- Freight transport businesses – click here
- Medical and healthcare industry – click here
- Shipping and sea ports businesses – click here
- Supported accommodation, residential care and home care – click here
- Transport businesses – click here
Business closures
- Businesses that must close – click here
- If you’re staying open for business: safe working guidance – click here
- Closing holiday accommodation to temporary residents – click here