UK furlough scheme extended until October

The UK job retention scheme will be extended, for four months, until the end of October, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has confirmed. Addressing the House of Commons, 12 May, the Chancellor confirmed that the level of support to employees will not be reduced but did say employers would be asked to contribute more. The news will bring some relief to UK events businesses which have seen their incomes completely stop. The Chancellor said: “By [October], we will have provided eight months of support to British people and businesses. Until the end of July, there will be no changes to the furlough scheme whatsoever. “From August to October the scheme will continue, for all sectors and regions of the UK, but with greater flexibility to support the transition back to work. “Employers currently using the scheme will be able to bring furloughed employees back part-time. We will ask employers to start sharing, with the government, the costs of paying people’s salaries. “Further detail will follow by the end of May but I want to assure people one thing won’t change workers will, through the combined efforts of government and employers, continue to receive the same level of support as they do now, at 80% of their salary, up to £2,500 (USD$3,090).”