The furlough scheme was introduced by the government to support employees who were unable to work or made redundant. The government has been paying 80% of wages, up to £2,500 a month, for furloughed workers, until April 30, but it is now expected to be phased out. However, some job support scheme is set to stay in place even after it comes to an end.
Even though furlough is designed to keep workers employed, unfortunately it doesn't protect you from being made redundant. But it doesn't affect your redundancy pay rights if you are let go from your job amid the coronavirus crisis. Your employer should still carry out a fair redundancy process. You will be entitled to be consulted on the redundancy lay-off first and to receive a statutory redundancy payment, as long as you've been working somewhere for at least two years. How much you're entitled to depends on your age and length of service, although this is capped at 20 years.
You'll get: Half a week’s pay for each full year you were under 22; One week’s pay for each full year you were 22 or older, but under 41; One and half week’s pay for each full year you were 41 or older. Sadly, you won't be entitled to a payout if you've been working for your employer for fewer than two years. There should be a period of collective consultation as well as time for individual ones if your employer wants to make 20 or more employees redundant within 90 days or each other. You are also entitled to appeal the decision by claiming unfair dismissal within three months of being let go. If you're made redundant after your company has gone into administration you can claim redundancy pay via Gov.uk.
Shops, pubs, restaurants and hairdressers are hoping the Prime Minister will shed some light on when they can open again when he unveils his road map. The year long business rate relief is aimed at helping retailers that have been unable to open due to restrictions or are struggling to make ends meet, particularly in the hospitality and leisure industry.
In September, industry bosses warned that thousands of pubs will shut for good if the business rate relief isn't extended. Instead of scrapping the scheme at the end of March as planned, Sunak is reportedly considering an online sales tax in autumn as part of his review into business rates. It's hoped the tax will raise an initial £2 billion to help plug the gap in the country's finances and see shoppers return to the high street when stores are permitted to reopen.
But critics have warned the tax, which is touted to be around 2%, would push up prices for online shoppers. The review is expected to be pushed back until autumn. It will be the fourth time it has been delayed this year.
