Keeping you up to date with Covid-19

I hope you are all continuing to be safe and well.

On the whole, there hasn't been too much Covid-related change over the last week. England is now entering the third week of lockdown. Wales, have finished their firebreak lockdown, and Scotland is to return to near-full lockdown tomorrow (20th November). 

The main news topic this week has been surrounding a vaccine. However, initial reports suggest we're still some time away from large scale distribution. Therefore, we should continue to focus on following governmental guidelines to help slow the spread of the virus.

The government have continued to encourage those businesses that can operate, to continue to do so. The furlough scheme, now extended to until the end of March 2021, is there to support businesses finding it difficult to retain employees.

• New information on the Furlough Scheme - Read more

To address rising unemployment, the government have introduced the Kickstart scheme. So, if you have the opportunity to take on new staff to help your business grow, now is a great time.

• Funding information for the Kickstart Scheme - Read more

As always, there is an ETC Consultant on standby if you need help. Please call me on 0330 0904 565 or use the contact us form on our website.

Please keep safe.

Doug D'Aubrey.

New news for Furlough

My employee is leaving – what’s new?

For claim periods starting on or after 1 December 2020, you cannot claim for any days on or after 1 December 2020 during which the furloughed employee was serving a contractual or statutory notice period for the employer (this includes people serving notice of retirement or resignation). If an employee subsequently starts a contractual or statutory notice period on a day covered by a previously submitted claim, you will need to make an adjustment.

If you make an employee redundant, you should base statutory redundancy and statutory notice pay on their normal wage rather than the reduced furlough wage.

 My employee is vulnerable or has to look after someone

If your employee is:

• unable to work because they are clinically extremely vulnerable, or at the highest risk of severe illness from coronavirus and following public health guidance
• unable to work because they have caring responsibilities resulting from coronavirus (COVID-19), including employees that need to look after children

They are eligible for the grant and can be furloughed.

 My employee is sick

If your employee is on sick leave or self-isolating as a result of coronavirus, they may be able to get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is not intended for short-term absences from work due to sickness.

Short term illness/self-isolation should not be a consideration in deciding whether to furlough an employee. If, however, employers want to furlough employees for business reasons and they are currently off sick, they are eligible to do so, as with other employees. In these cases, the employee should no longer receive sick pay and would be classified as a furloughed employee.

Employers can furlough employees who are clinically extremely vulnerable, at the highest risk of severe illness from coronavirus or off on long-term sick leave. It is up to employers to decide whether to furlough these employees.

I paid furlough in October – when do I have to claim by?

30 November 2020 is the last day employers can submit or change claims for periods ending on or before 31 October 2020.

Kickstart Scheme funding

What will they pay my business if I take someone on under this scheme?

For wages and related costs.This funding covers:

• 100% of National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months
• associated employer National Insurance contributions
• employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions

Employers can pay a higher wage and for more hours but the funding will not cover this.

How will I get the money?

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will send the funding to your selected Kickstart gateway. They will be responsible for giving the funding to you.

You’ll get ￡1,500 funding per job placement. This is for setup costs and to support the young person to develop their employability skills. If you get someone else to do some of this for you, such as your Kickstart gateway, you’ll have to agree how you will share this money.

So what are the criteria for Kickstart jobs?

The job placements created with Kickstart Scheme funding must be new jobs.

The job placements must not:

• replace existing or planned vacancies
• cause existing employees, apprentices or contractors to lose work or reduce their working hours

The job placements must:

• be a minimum of 25 hours per week, for 6 months
• pay at least the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage for the employee’s age group
• only require basic training

For each job placement, you must help the young person become more employable. This could include:

• looking for long-term work, including career advice and setting goals
• support with curriculum vitae (CV) and interview preparations
• developing their skills in the workplace

The young person may be able to move to another employment scheme when they’ve finished their 6-month Kickstart Scheme job placement.

We will continue to update you as more information becomes available.

If you need any help, please contact me on 0330 0904 565 or using the contact us form on our website.

Please continue to stay safe, follow the advice from the government and continue to support one another.

Best regards,

The ETC team