Covid19 Coronavirus advice and support for individuals and small businesses

These pages are going to be kept up to date on a regular basis as we find out new information about Government support for taxpayers.

Employees

If you are, or have been, an employee, the following may apply.

Getting sick If you or someone you live with gets sick meaning you need to be isolated due to Covid then you will be entitled to statutory sick pay which is £94.25 per week. This will be paid to you by your employer (they can recover this from the Government up to 14 days). Statutory sick pay is taxable income.
Getting furloughed You may be notified by your employer that you are "furloughed" (furlough rhymes with Rolo; we'd not heard the word before either). This means that you are being put on a leave of absence. You should continue to receive some money - the Government is providing grants to your employer to cover up to £2.5k/80% of salary per month per employee. By notifying you, your employer is able to access this money, Your employer may choose to pay you more than this but the scheme does not require them to do so.

Your employment contract may affect the way the furlough works for you. Try to work with your employer for a sensible solution; we need to cooperate in order to get through.
Getting laid off Sadly, your employer could make you redundant. There are Government measures in place to discourage this, but it remains a possibility. If this happens to you, you can apply for Jobseeker's Allowance here. Jobseekers Allowance is taxable (note that Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits are not).

Employers

You have an important responsibility to your people, and to your business. It will involve tough decisions.

We are seeing great examples of businesses working constructively with their teams to enable them to work effectively from home, and accepting inevitable disruption. Thankfully those employers who are demanding their people come into an office are in the minority.