Maria Miller MP for Basingstoke has welcomed news that the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Furlough Scheme has been extended to allow more people to be covered. 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.
Individuals originally had to be employed on February 28 2020, following a review of the scheme and to ensure that help is available for as many people as possible, the date has been extended to March 19 2020 – the day before the scheme was announced.
Maria said, “I have been contacted by some constituents who were concerned that they were not eligible for the government’s job retention scheme due to starting work after the original deadline. MPs raised these concerns directly with the chancellor of the Exchequer and I am delighted that the Treasury have taken action in response and extended this scheme.
This scheme extension means financial security for both employees and business at this challenging time and I will continue to do all I can to make sure that all Basingstoke residents are well supported throughout Coronavirus 19 outbreak.”
Employers can claim for furloughed employees that were employed and on their PAYE payroll on or before 19 March 2020.
Further information for business is available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme
Further information for employees is available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-what-to-do-if-youre-employed-and-cannot-work
HMRC have been working round the clock to deliver the scheme, which is due to be fully operational next week.