Today, the Chancellor has announced that the Job Retention Scheme will be extended for four months, until the end of October. By that point, we will have provided eight months of support to British people and businesses, which I know has been invaluable to many constituents and businesses within Finchley and Golders Green. There are 7.5 million furloughed employees, with support provided to one million businesses.
Until July, there will be no changes to the scheme in any way.
In August through 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.
Further details will follow by the end of May, and I will share those with you when they are released.
I welcome that the Chancellor has also confirmed that workers will continue to receive the same level of support as they do now, 80% of their salary, up to £2,500. It is right that we continue to stand by workers as we come out of the lockdown, just as we did as we went into it.
---