The UK government recently announced a new Job Support Scheme, which will replace the UK Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (the “Furlough Scheme”) upon its expiration on October 31, 2020. The Furlough Scheme has been in place since March 2020 to help employers cover up to 80% of the wages for employees who would otherwise have been laid off, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month. 

In a major announcement on Thursday, July 9, the UK government outlined how the UK Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will conclude. Also, the government has announced two new initiatives to prevent future unemployment and bring furloughed employees back to work.