The UK furlough scheme, which was launched by the government on 20th April 2020 to help support employers through the coronavirus pandemic lockdown, will come to an end in October.
Since the scheme came into effect, 1.2 million employers have furloughed all or part of their workforce, upto 9.6million staff, and claimed 80 per cent of employee wage costs, up to a maximum of £2,500 per employee per month.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
| Total claims made as of midnight | Total number of jobs furloughed | Total number of employers furloughing | Total value of claims made |
| 23 April | 3.8m | 512,000 | £4.5bn |
| 3 May | 6.3m | 800,000 | £8.0bn |
| 11 May | 7.5m | 935,000 | £10.1bn |
| 17 May | 8m | 986,000 | £11.1bn |
| 24 May | 8.4m | 1m | £15bn |
| 31 May | 8.7m | 1.1m | £17.5bn |
| 7 June | 8.9m | 1.1m | £19.6bn |
| 14 June | 9.1m | 1.1m | £20.8bn |
| 21 June | 9.2m | 1.1m | £22.9bn |
| 28 June | 9.3m | 1.1m | £25.5bn |
| 5 July | 9.4m | 1.1m | £27.4bn |
| 12 July | 9.4m | 1.2m | £28.7bn |
| 19 July | 9.5m | 1.2m | £29.8bn |
| 26 July | 9.5m | 1.2m | £31.7bn |
| 2 August | 9.6m | 1.2m | £33.8bn |
| 9 August | 9.6m | 1.2m | £34.7bn |
| 16 August | 9.6m | 1.2m | £35.4bn |
Until 1st August, employers had been able to claim the 80% of the employee’s wage along with the National Insurance and employer pension contributions but from this date employers were asked to pay National Insurance and pensions contributions for all their furloughed staff.
From September the Government’s grant will decrease to cover 70% of furloughed employee wages and will be capped at £2,187.50. HMRC says: “The government will pay 70% of wages up to a cap of £2,187.50 for the hours the employee is on furlough.
“Employers will pay ER NICs and pension contributions and top up employees’ wages to ensure they receive 80% of their wages up to a cap of £2,500, for time they are furloughed.”
October will see the Government cover 60% of furloughed employee wages, capped at £1,875 however at the end of October the furlough scheme will end completely.
