Coronavirus: When will the furlough scheme end? By Eleanor Lawrie

BBC News Published duration 2 days ago Related Topics Coronavirus pandemic

image copyright Getty Images

Since March, almost 10 million people have been placed on the furlough scheme, which pays the wages of those who cannot work because of coronavirus.

Businesses now have to contribute towards the salaries of their furloughed staff and the scheme is due to end on 31 October.

Will furlough be extended?

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has repeatedly ruled out extending the scheme.

And Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said furlough is ''keeping workers in suspended animation'', while the Bank of England says people should not be kept in unproductive jobs.

However, MPs and business groups have urged the government to continue it in some way. Trade unions body the TUC has warned of a ''tsunami of job losses'' without it.

image copyright PA Media image caption The TUC's Frances O'Grady is asking for government action to avert "mass unemployment"

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is calling for more part-time working , with rewards for employers who give people hours instead of cutting jobs.

This is similar to schemes in Germany and France where firms can ask employees to work reduced hours, with the state topping up salaries.

Sir Keir says there should be training and support for those who can't return to work full-time and targeted help for badly affected sectors like retail and aviation.

What will replace furlough?

When furlough ends, the UK government is offering firms:

£1,000 for every furloughed employee kept on until at least the end of January

£1,500 for every out-of-work 16-24 year-old given a ''high quality'' six month work placement

£2,000 for every under-25 apprentice taken on until the end of January, or £1,500 for over 25s

But MPs on the Treasury Select Committee said the £1,000 bonus would mostly be spent on employees who were going to be kept on anyway.

Instead, it suggested a targeted extension of furlough for sectors struggling most from social distancing requirements, such as hospitality and leisure.

Can I be made redundant while on furlough?

Yes. Employees can be made redundant at any point during the scheme.

If a worker loses their job and is entitled to redundancy pay, this should be calculated based on their pre-furlough wages, and firms can't use the money from furlough to subsidise redundancy packages.

What is furlough and why was it introduced?

The furlough scheme was designed to help people who couldn't do their jobs and prevent mass redundancies.

Under the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme, to give furlough its official title, workers placed on leave have been able to receive 80% of their pay, up to a maximum of £2,500 a month.

image copyright Getty Images image caption Chancellor Rishi Sunak has resisted calls to extend furlough

Since July, furloughed employees have been able to go back to work part-time. with the furlough scheme covering the other three days not worked.

Employers now have to pay 10% of the wages of furloughed workers, plus their National Insurance and pension contributions.

Can I work if I've been furloughed?

When the scheme began, furloughed staff weren't able to do any work for their employer. However, they can now be brought back to work on a part-time basis.

Those still on furlough can volunteer in the community, or even for their company, as long as they aren't making them money or providing a service.

image copyright Getty Images image caption Furloughed workers can volunteer in the community

If you work for more than one firm, you can receive furlough from any of them, up to £2,500 a month per employer.

You can continue working for any that still need you or start working for a new employer, provided you are not breaching any existing contracts.

How popular has the scheme been?

The take-up has been significant, with 9.6 million workers furloughed by 1.2 million employers since March.

These employers had made £35.4bn of furlough claims by 16 August, and the scheme will cost the government an estimated £60bn in total, less than the £80bn initially forecast.

The scheme covers full-time, part-time, flexible, zero-hour and agency workers if they were on their employer's PAYE payroll on 19 March 2020.

Workers must be furloughed for at least three weeks, and can be furloughed more than once.

Will I still get sick pay and a bonus?

Anyone on furlough retains the same employment rights. If you are ill you are eligible for statutory sick pay or can be placed on furlough.

If you are on unpaid leave, shielding or have caring responsibilities, you are also eligible. Staff on parental leave will still receive statutory pay from the government.

Although employers now have to pay towards the scheme, they do not also have to top up salaries that no longer reach the minimum wage.