Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

(asked on 21st April 2020) - View Source

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of reviewing the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme in the event of future lockdowns to offer rotating short-term funding to avoid employers furloughing all staff simultaneously.


Answered by
Jesse Norman Portrait
Jesse Norman
This question was answered on 1st May 2020

The arrangement between workers and their employers remains subject to negotiation. To be eligible for the scheme, each employee must be furloughed for a minimum of 3 weeks at a time. This is consistent with public health guidance seeking to minimise the number of people outside their homes on a regular basis. There is no restriction on the number of times an individual could be furloughed or the maximum period, other than the life of the scheme. Employers may also be able to benefit from other schemes and measures such as the VAT deferral and the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans Scheme. Further details can be found online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is a temporary scheme in place for 4 months starting from 1 March 2020, but it may be extended if necessary and employers can use this scheme anytime during this period. The Government will make future decisions on the scheme taking into account further developments such as the forthcoming review of non-pharmaceutical interventions.

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