Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – Update: Further to the article we published on 3rd November called ‘Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Extended‘, we have received the following additional information which we would like to share with you:
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Update – Latest Announcements
The Chancellor has announced an extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). This extension will run until the end of March 2021 for all parts of the UK. For claim periods running to 31st January 2021, the UK Government will pay 80% of employees’ usual wages for hours not worked. There will be a cap of £2,500 per month. The UK Government will review the policy in January to decide whether economic circumstances are improving enough to ask employers to contribute more.
The government also confirmed it would not pay the Job Retention Bonus in February 2021. This is because the CJRS will be available at that time. An alternative retention incentive will be put in place at the appropriate time.
What you need to do now
If you intend to claim under the CJRS, please look at the information published today on how you can check if you’re eligible to claim. Also, what you need to agree with your employees. You can find this on gov.uk by searching ‘Extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’.
This latest information applies for CJRS claim periods from 1st November 2020. The final date for claims for the period up to 31st October is still 30th November 2020.
The full guidance for claims from November onwards, including more information on how to calculate a claim, will be published on gov.uk on Tuesday, and there will be another update to confirm this. You can claim from 11th November 2020.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Update – Further support
Guidance and live webinars offering you more support on changes to CJRS, and how they affect you, are available to book online – go to gov.uk and search ‘help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus’.
The government phone lines and webchat remain very busy so the quickest way to find the support you need is on gov.uk. This will leave the phone lines and webchat service open for those who need them most.
Protect yourself from scams
Stay vigilant about scams, which may mimic government messages as a way of appearing authentic. Search ‘scams’ on gov.uk for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact. You can also forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599.
The government will continue to keep you updated on scheme developments over the coming weeks.
To find out all of the ways you can contact the government and their opening times, go to gov.uk – contact HMRC
We hope you found ‘Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – Update’ useful. For more of our articles informing you about business and general updates on Covid-19, please click here.
Information courtesy of Jim Harra, HMRC Chief Executive and Permanent Secretary
Image courtesy of Adam Nieścioruk on Unsplash
