15th October 2020

Coronavirus Support: The Coronavirus Job Support Scheme

On the 23rd March, the UK announced the furlough scheme, designed to support employers and workers who were unable to perform their usual duties due to Coronavirus restrictions. After 7 months of support and an estimated £35billion invested by the government, the scheme is due to come to a finish at the end of October. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be replaced from the 1st November by the Coronavirus Job Support Scheme which is designed to be a more sustainable approach, to supporting jobs through the pandemic and is currently due to continuing until April 2021. The government is expected to review the percentage that employees need to work to qualify for the scheme in three months time, in January 2021.

What Is The Coronavirus Job Support Scheme?

The Job Support Scheme is designed to protect viable jobs in businesses who are facing lower demand over the winter months due to Covid-19.  Where businesses and organisations have been affected by Coronavirus restrictions directly, employees will have a portion of their wages paid by the government.

How Will The Coronavirus Support Scheme Work?

• The scheme will only support people who are able to work at least a third of their usual hours.
• The employee works 33% of their usual hours
• The employer pays the full 33% of this portion of their employee’s wages
• The remaining amount of the employee’s salary is split into thirds
• The employer pays one third, the government pays a further third – the employee receives a total of 77% of their usual wage

The Government contribution will be capped at £697.92 a month.

Advice For Agency and Supply Staff

Employees must be on an employer’s PAYE payroll on or before 23 September 2020 and the scheme is not applicable for agency workers who are registered with several agencies. 

At Engage, we continue to support all our teachers, colleagues and partner schools as the situation in the UK changes. We are working to place candidates in long-term roles as well as providing daily contingency cover to our partner schools. To ensure you are getting as much work as possible, we recommend staying in regular contact with your agency!

What Other Support Is Available?

For more information about the support available to employees and agency workers, try these:

Coronavirus Support: Test And Trace Payments  – Information for teachers on the Test and Trace Payment Scheme

Engage Coronavirus Hub – All of our Coronavirus Support articles

UK Government Coronavirus Information and Support – Official Coronavirus Guidance