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Coronavirus: UK firms at risk of making 'permanent' job cuts Coronavirus: Furlough pay to be released by month end, says HMRC
(about 3 hours later)
Firms are at risk of "permanently" axing staff unless the government provides clarity over whether it will extend its job retention scheme. HMRC has promised to release wages for furloughed workers by the end of April, as the tax authority prepares for firms to start making claims from Monday.
Companies which have laid off staff temporarily under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme can apply for government funds from 20 April.
The scheme, which covers 80% of workers' pay, runs until 1 June.
But there are fears firms could cut staff unless the government soon clarifies whether it will extend it.
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said it is worried companies will be forced to start redundancy procedures this Saturday to comply with the minimum 45-day consultation period.The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said it is worried companies will be forced to start redundancy procedures this Saturday to comply with the minimum 45-day consultation period.
The government's scheme will pay 80% of an employee's monthly pay until 1 June. CBI director general Carolyn Fairbairn, said: "We are very concerned that businesses will be forced into a position potentially of having to make people permanently redundant."
The Treasury said the scheme could be extended if necessary. The Treasury said the scheme, which pays wages for March, April and May, could run for longer.
CBI director general Carolyn Fairbairn told the BBC's Today programme: "We are very concerned that businesses will be forced into a position potentially of having to make people permanently redundant." "The scheme is open for an initial three months and we hope conditions will improve sufficiently during this period. However, the Chancellor has been clear he will review extending it for longer if necessary," said a Treasury spokesperson.
While she said she expected clarity from the government "this week" about extending the national coronavirus lockdown, Ms Fairbairn said: "What we are saying to government is that firms need to be able to plan. But Ms Fairbairn said businesses need clarity from the government before 18 April: "What we are saying to government is that firms need to be able to plan.
"These are massive decisions being taken on a day-to-day basis that affect people's lives and livelihoods, and having that clarity of a 45-day notice period for business is absolutely vital.""These are massive decisions being taken on a day-to-day basis that affect people's lives and livelihoods, and having that clarity of a 45-day notice period for business is absolutely vital."
The coronavirus job retention scheme, under which the government pays the majority of a person's monthly salary up to £2,500, covers wages for March, April and May. HMRC chief executive Jim Harra told the BBC's Today programme that the chancellor Rishi Sunak "has been clear that if it needs to be extended then he will look to do that".
A Treasury spokesperson said: "We've been taking unprecedented action at unprecedented speed to support businesses, jobs and our economy during this crisis - including through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Mr Harra added that the system through which companies can claim funding to pay their furloughed workers will be accessible from Monday.
"The scheme is open for an initial three months and we hope conditions will improve sufficiently during this period. However, the Chancellor has been clear he will review extending it for longer if necessary." He said he was "confident" employers will get the money in time to pay people by the end of the month.
From next Monday, companies will be able to provide data to HMRC of those employees who have been furloughed under the scheme. "Most employers run their payroll on the last banking day of the month which would be 30 April and there is time to get your claims in in time and to get money before then," he said.
Funds will then be provided to companies in time for the end of the month, according to HMRC, when many people are paid.
Workers are eligible for the scheme provided that they began in their current employment on or before 28 February.Workers are eligible for the scheme provided that they began in their current employment on or before 28 February.
However, some people who changed jobs around this time have found themselves without any income.However, some people who changed jobs around this time have found themselves without any income.
Felicity Williams, age 30, handed in her notice at the Richmond-on-Thames estate agency where she worked on 27 February, with her last day set for 28 March.Felicity Williams, age 30, handed in her notice at the Richmond-on-Thames estate agency where she worked on 27 February, with her last day set for 28 March.
"Obviously between those two dates it became apparent that the coronavirus was going to shut things down and there would be some difficulties with me starting my new job on 1 April," she said."Obviously between those two dates it became apparent that the coronavirus was going to shut things down and there would be some difficulties with me starting my new job on 1 April," she said.
Although government guidelines state that Ms Williams can go back to her previous employer and ask them to furlough her, she said the company is unwilling to help.Although government guidelines state that Ms Williams can go back to her previous employer and ask them to furlough her, she said the company is unwilling to help.
"I've been to them four times now and pleaded with them to re-employ me and put me on furlough, just so I've got some sort of income coming in, and every time it has been a no," she said."I've been to them four times now and pleaded with them to re-employ me and put me on furlough, just so I've got some sort of income coming in, and every time it has been a no," she said.
Ms Williams said she is also unable to claim universal credit because she lives with her boyfriend, who has savings and an income.Ms Williams said she is also unable to claim universal credit because she lives with her boyfriend, who has savings and an income.
She said: "I have my own bills, I have my own credit cards, my own loans that I need to pay off, and obviously I've frozen them for the short term. But it is not going to help me out in terms of paying rent and bills and food."She said: "I have my own bills, I have my own credit cards, my own loans that I need to pay off, and obviously I've frozen them for the short term. But it is not going to help me out in terms of paying rent and bills and food."
Mr Harra said: "I think in all of these schemes designed to help the economy, we've had to design them so they can be implemented very quickly and time, in some senses, has been the enemy of perfection.
"But there are a whole range of schemes available to help businesses and people and I'm confident that the vast majority of employees who have been furloughed will get help."