CJRS extended until end October

The Chancellor has just announced (on 12 May 2020) that the furlough scheme has been extended until the end of October.  Workers will continue to receive 80% of their current salary (subject to the £2,500 monthly cap).

From August, there will be additional flexibility, in that furloughed workers will be allowed to return to work on a part-time basis with the employer being asked to a pay 'a percentage towards the salaries of their furloughed staff'.  At the moment, it is not clear what this means.

This news will be very much welcomed by businesses which are not able to open fully, or at all, for at least another couple of months.  It extends the lifeline to those in the food and hospitality sectors, in particular.