Published on Thursday, November 5, 2020

Chancellor extends furlough until the end of March

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has extended the furlough scheme until the end of March.


He told the Commons today the extension will provide 'immense comfort' for millions of people and  businesses 'over what will be a difficult winter'.


It means the government will pay 80% of an employees unworked hours over the next five months, up to a maximum of £2500 a month.


Significantly, staff who were employed or on the payroll on September 23, but who were then made redundant, can effectively be employed and their unworked wages claimed for. 


Sunak had already announced the furlough scheme would continue during November.


The Chancellor told Parliament the furlough scheme would be reviewed in January to see whether employers may be in a position to contribute financially.


ABTA said the furlough extension was not 


He confirmed the employment support scheme for the self-employed is being made more generous and will be worth 80% of profits, up from 55%.


Sunak said: "I've always said I would do whatever it takes to protect jobs and livelihoods across the UK - and that has meant adapting our support as the path of the virus has changed.


"It's clear the economic effects are much longer lasting for businesses than the duration of any restrictions, which is why we have decided to go further with our support.


"Extending furlough and increasing our support for the self-employed will protect millions of jobs and give people and businesses the certainty they need over what will be a difficult winter."

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