The Government’s furlough scheme, which aims to keep millions of people in employment, will be extended for a further month, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has confirmed.
Following the announcement of continuing social distancing measures, the Chancellor said the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) would now be open until the end of June in order to provide businesses with the certainty they need.
The scheme, which allows firms to furlough employees with the Government paying cash grants of 80% of their wages up to a maximum of £2,500, was originally open for three months and backdated from the 1
March to the end of May. However, the Chancellor said he would keep the scheme under review and extend it if necessary.
Future decisions on the scheme will take into account further developments on the wider measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus, as well as the responsible management of the public finances.
Rishi Sunak, said:
‘With the extension of the coronavirus lockdown measures … it is the right decision to extend the furlough scheme for a month to the end of June to provide clarity.
‘It is vital for people’s livelihoods that the UK economy gets up and running again when it is safe to do so, and I will continue to review the scheme so it is supporting our recovery.
Content source: www.grantfinder.co.uk