Thursday, May 16
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UK coronavirus live: Sunak extends furlough job retention scheme until end of October

UK coronavirus live: Sunak extends furlough job retention scheme until end of October

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These are from Rishi Sunak summarising his announcement.

1/ 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. Until the end of July, there will be no changes to the scheme whatsoever. pic.twitter.com/gQznY4c2Ir

2/ From August 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.

3/ We will ask employers to start sharing, with the government, the costs of paying people’s salaries.

4/ Further detail will follow by the end of May but I want to assure people one thing won’t change:

Workers will, through the combined efforts of government and employers, continue to receive the same level of support as they do now, at 80% of their salary, up to £2,500.

In the Commons Sunak confirms that the level of support to employees will not be reduced.

But employers will be asked to contribute more.

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