Archive for June, 2020

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020

On 12 May 2020, the Chancellor confirmed that this scheme will be extended until 31 October 2020. On the 29th May he confirmed the details of how the scheme would be changed to a flexible arrangement from 1 July 2020.

Until 1 September 2020, claims for time not worked will continue to be based on 80% of furloughed person’s salary up to the £2,500 maximum. For September this reduces to 70% capped at £2,187.50 and a further reduction in October to 60% capped at £1,875.

From 1 July 2020, employers can bring back furloughed staff part-time. Employers will be responsible for paying for this part-time work.

From 1 August 2020, employers will be required to pay for any employers' NIC and pension costs. From 1 September employers will be asked to contribute 10% of the CJRS wage costs for time not worked and from 1 October this contribution will increase to 20%.

The scheme will now close 31 October 2020.

Self-employed grants claim process now open

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020

Since 13 May 2020, it has been possible to use online processes, accessed via the gov.uk website, to:

  • Clarify if you are eligible to apply for the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, and
  • Lodge your claim. Payment should usually be in your bank account within 6 days.

Are you eligible?

By entering your unique tax reference number and National Insurance number you will be advised if you are eligible to make a claim and when you should do this. The link to this facility is on page https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/self-employment-support/enter-unique-taxpayer-reference

However, there have been comments in the press that HMRC has had problems with the complex calculations involved in making this decision. If you were expecting to receive a payment under this scheme and are advised that none is available, you should challenge the outcome with HMRC.

Register your claim

If a claim is eligible you will be directed to register your claim by using your personal Government Gateway ID and password.

You will also need:

  • UK bank details (only provide bank account details where a Bacs payment can be accepted) including:
  • bank account number
  • sort code
  • name on the account
  • your address linked to your bank account

Finally, you will be asked to confirm that your business has been adversely affected by coronavirus.

Note: claims for the first quarter to 31 May 2020 will close 13 July 2020

SEISS extended for final three-month period

It was announced 29 May that the SEISS would be extended for a further three-month period to 31 August 2020. Applications for this period will be opened late August 2020. The amount that can be claimed for June-August 2020 will be limited to 70% of eligible earnings capped at a maximum grant of £6,570.

Changes to Self-Employed and furlough schemes

Monday, June 1st, 2020

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced the following changes to the Self-Employed Income Support (SEISS) and Coronavirus Job Retention Schemes (CJRS) at the close of business last week.

SEISS changes

In response to lobbying by interested business groups this scheme has been extended for a final three-month period (June – August 2020). The amount being offered is reduced, as compared with support provided for the first quarter (March – May 2020).

The eligibility criteria remains unchanged. In particular, claimants will still need to confirm that during the June to August period their businesses have been adversely affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

The amount that can be claimed is reduced to 70% of eligible earnings (previously 80%) and the maximum grant that can be claimed for the June – August quarter will be capped at £6,570 (previously £7,500).

As before, claimants will have to wait until the final month of the claim period, August 2020, to make a claim. Details on the claims process will be revealed 12 June 2020.

Please note, that self-employed persons claiming for the first claim period (March-May 2020) need to apply for their claim on or before 13 July 2020.

 

CJRS changes

The CJRS, more commonly described as the furlough scheme, is to close 31 October 2020.

From this date employers will reassume full financial responsibility for their employees.

Between July and October 2020, the support provided will reduce in two fundamental ways:

  • Employers can bring-back employees on a part-time basis and
  • Employers will need to make incremental contributions to the CJRS support costs.

Part-time working

If employees are invited back to work part-time from 1 July 2020, employers will need to meet the full costs of employing them for this part-time activity.

Furlough grants will still be available from government during the July – October 2020 period, but the amounts that employers can claim will gradually reduce as employers make increasing contributions.

A month by month summary of CJRS changes follows:

June 2020

No changes to government support this month but employers should note that the furlough scheme will close to new entrants on 30 June 2020. Effectively, the final date that employers can furlough staff for the first time will be 10 June 2020.

July 2020

From 1 July 2020, government will only provide support for hours not worked. The full cost of part-time working will have to be met by employers.

For time not worked, the scheme will provide 80% of furloughed costs up to £2,500 cap.

August 2020

From 1 August, employers will have to cover employers’ NIC and pension costs for furloughed workers. For many smaller businesses this will not dramatically increase costs as employers NIC is covered by the NIC Employment Allowance.

For time not worked, the scheme will continue to provide 80% of furloughed wages up to £2,500 cap.

September 2020

From 1 September, employers will, in addition to previous changes, have to start contributing towards the furlough scheme costs. For September 2020, this will amount to 10% of furloughed wage costs for time not worked.

For time not worked, government support will reduce to 70% of furloughed wages up to a revised £2,187.50 cap.

October 2020

From 1 October, employers will pay an increased contribution to the furlough scheme costs. For October 2020, this will amount to 20% of furloughed wage costs for time not worked.

For time not worked, government support will reduce to 60% of furloughed wages up to a revised £1,875 cap.

Unwinding the furlough scheme

From 1 November 2020, employers will be faced with two choices: to bring all furloughed workers back to full-time working or consider redundancies.

This outcome should be considered as soon as possible and if possible by considering quite detailed planning and forecasting considerations. We can help. Please contact us if you are presently claiming under the CJRS and are undecided how to unwind the support from the furlough scheme when it ceases on 31 October.

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