In the 2021 Spring Budget, Rishi Sunak announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, otherwise known as the Furlough Scheme, would be extended from 30 April 2021 to 30 September 2021.
As the scheme winds down, employers will need to contribute to furlough pay:
- From 1st July 2021 employers contribute 10% of the furlough pay
- From 1st August 2021 employers contribute 20% of the furlough pay
To help businesses prepare for the end of the scheme, we’ve put together a comprehensive timeline that details the key action dates regarding the scheme as well as other lockdown reopening dates.
End of Furlough Timeline
End of Furlough Timeline for Employers
May
1st May
New Joiners who started work between 31st October, 2021 and 2nd March, 2021 may enter May, 2021 period of furlough scheme. (Employees who were employed after 2nd March, 2021 are not eligible for the scheme.)
16th May (Sunday)
If making 100+ redundancies by 30th June (before employer contributions to furlough pay increase), today is the last day to start collective redundancy consultation.
17th May
Reopening of indoor hospitality (earliest date).
31st May
If making between 20-99 redundancies by 30th June (before employer contributions to furlough pay increase), today is the last day to start collective redundancy consultation.
June
21st June
Reopening of ALL remaining businesses (earliest date).
July
1st July
Employers now become responsible for contributing 10% of employers furlough pay (up to a maximum of £312.50 per employee per month).
August
1st August
Employers now become responsible for contributing 20% of employees furlough pay (up to a maximum of £625 per employee per month).
31st August
If making between 20 – 99 redundancies by 30th September (end of furlough scheme), today is the last day to start collective redundancy consultation.
September
30th September
Furlough scheme ends.
