Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether employees eligible for the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme will also qualify for additional state benefit support.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme announced in March will help firms keep millions of people in employment. Universal Credit is designed to adjust as income changes. Individuals who are furloughed will continue to be paid by their company. If their wages fall, this will be taken into account by the Universal Credit system. Under the Job Retention Scheme, employers will be required to pay employees at least 80% of their wages, up to £2,500 per month. Employers can top this up but they are not required to do so.