Will The Furlough Changes Lead To A Wave Of Redundancies?

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Rishi Sunak’s recent announcement on changes to the Furlough scheme will cause many businesses serious concern as to whether they can afford to keep employees on and will now have to consider making their already furloughed staff redundant.

Since the commencement of the Furlough scheme employers have furloughed 8.4 million workers and claimed up to 80% of their wages, to a maximum £2,500 a month. Figures earlier this week revealed that the cost has reached £15bn while a separate scheme to support self-employed workers had cost almost £7bn.

The chancellor has come under pressure to announce changes to the scheme to ease the burden on the exorbitant sums already spent out of the public purse, however, there are legitimate concerns that these changes will cause a wave of redundancies given that many businesses have been unable to generate income during the lockdown.

To expect businesses to now start paying an increase in wages when they cannot work is potentially unrealistic, whilst the government’s desire for struggling businesses to return staff to work is equally unfeasible when the work is no longer there.

Regretfully, many businesses may now be forced to make redundancies.

Yesterday’s changes can be summarised as follows:

  • The scheme will close to new entrants on 30 June. In July, businesses can start bringing furloughed staff back part-time and employers will pay their wages for hours worked.
  • From the start of August the taper starts. The government still pays 80% of wages up to £2,500, but employers must now pay ER NICs and pension contributions. For an average employer this represents 5% of employment costs had an employee not been furloughed.
  • From September the Government pays 70% of wages up to a cap of £2,190. Firms must contribute 10% of wages plus ER NICs and pension contributions – about 14% of gross employment costs pre-furlough.
  • From October Government pays 60% of wages up to a cap of £1,875. Employers contribute 20% plus ER NICs and pension – about 23% of gross employment costs pre-furlough. The scheme is anticipated to finish at the end of October.

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Disclaimer – Please note that this update is not intended to be exhaustive or be a substitute for legal advice. The application of the law in this area will often depend upon the specific facts and you are advised to seek specific advice on any given scenario.