Updated 18 April 2020
Full guidance can be found on GOV.UK by clicking on the following link.
Some of the key details are as follows:
-The scheme will provide support to employers whose business has been severely affected by COVID-19 by way of a grant towards wages of employees who have been furloughed.
-A portal will be created for employers to claim 80% of furloughed employees usual wages up to £2,500 per month plus associated Employers National Insurance and minimum automatic enrolment employer pension contributions.
-It will be for a 4 month period (previously 3 months) starting from 1st March 2020 and the portal should be open on 20 April.
-It is open to all UK employers who had a PAYE scheme created and started on 19 March 2020 (previously 28 February 2020).
-Employees must have been on the payroll and a RTI submission made on or before 19 March 2020 (previously 28 February 2020).
-Employers should write to their employees confirming that they have been furloughed and this should be for a minimum period of 3 weeks.
-Once furloughed employees can not undertake any work for the employer.
-For salaried employees their last pay prior to 19 March 2020 (previously as at 28 February 2020) should be used to calculate the grant.
-For employees with variable pay, if they have been employed for more than 12 months then the claim can be the higher of, the same month last year or an average of the 19-20 tax year. If they have been employed less than 12 months then it will be an average since they started.
It is now confirmed Directors will be able to use the scheme as long as they meet all the normal eligibility requirements.
