Further update on covid-19 job retention scheme. Holyrood’s economy committee issues call for views from Scottish businesses and workers. HIT Scotland launches updated home learning app.
FURTHER UPDATE ON COVID-19 JOB RETENTION SCHEME
HMRC have issued further guidance for employers claiming furlough payments through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. The new guidance tells employers how and when to access the system and gives more information on what employers will need to have ready before the system goes live.
HMRC has also updated the important change to the scheme relating to employee eligibility:-
- you can claim for employees that were employed as of 19 March 2020 and were on your PAYE payroll on or before that date; this means that you will have made an RTI submission notifying us of payment of that employee on or before 19 March 2020.
- employees that were employed as of 28 February 2020 and on payroll (i.e. notified to us on an RTI submission on or before 28 February) and were made redundant or stopped working for you after that, and prior to 19 March 2020, can also qualify for the scheme if you re-employ them and put them on furlough.
More information on this can be found on GOV.UK.
HOW TO CLAIM?
As you prepare to make a claim, please note:-
- the online claim service will be launched on GOV.UK on 20 April 2020 – please do not try to access it before this date as it won’t be available.
- the only way to make a claim is online – the service should be simple to use and any support you need available on GOV.UK; this will include help with calculating the amount you can claim.
- you can make the claim yourself even if you usually use an agent.
- claims will be paid within 6 working days; you should not contact HMRC unless it is absolutely necessary – any queries should be directed to your agent, representative or the HMRC webchat service.
- HMRC cannot answer any queries from employees – they will need to raise these with you, as their employer, directly.
INFORMATION YOU WILL NEED BEFORE YOU MAKE A CLAIM.
In addition to the information in previous HMRC guidance, employers will need to have the following before the 20thof April 2020:
- a Government Gateway (GG) ID and password – if you don’t already have a GG account, you can apply for one online, or by going to GOV.UK and searching for ‘HMRC services: sign in or register’.
- be enrolled for PAYE online – if you aren’t registered yet, you can do so now, or by going to GOV.UK and searching for ‘PAYE Online for employers’
- the following information for each furloughed employee you will be claiming for:-
- Name.
- National Insurance number.
- Claim period and claim amount.
- PAYE/employee number (optional).
- if you have fewer than 100 furloughed staff – you will need to input information directly into the system for each employee.
- if you have 100 or more furloughed staff – you will need to upload a file with information for each employee; we will accept the following file types: .xls .xlsx .csv .ods.
If you want an agent to act for you, agents authorised to act for you on PAYE matters can make the claim on your behalf using their ID and password. However you will need to tell or confirm with your agent which UK bank account you want the grant to be paid into, in order to ensure funds are paid as quickly as possible to you.
You should retain all records and calculations in respect of your claims.
HOLYROOD’S ECONOMY COMMITTEE ISSUES CALL FOR VIEWS FROM SCOTTISH BUSINESSES AND WORKERS.
The Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee has issued a call for views from Scottish businesses and workers on the current Covid-19 crisis.
The committee is launching a rolling inquiry that will consider how best businesses and employees can be supported during this time. The committee is also keen to hear views on how economic recovery can be supported once the crisis has abated. The Committee will use feedback received to recommend how the Government should provide effective support that mitigates the impact the virus is having on businesses and workers.
Unusual for a parliamentary inquiry, the committee has set no deadline for responses. The call for views will remain open on an ongoing basis and will provide a forum for raising issues of concern and for highlighting best practice in delivering economic support to business and workers.
Committee Convener, Michelle Ballantyne MSP said:
“These are unprecedented times and the Committee is here to listen. The protection of life and the ability of the NHS to cope as the virus spreads has rightly been at the forefront of everyone’s priorities but the economic shockwaves that Covid-19 has created will last far beyond any lockdown. It is vital that businesses and workers are supported effectively during this crisis, so that they can come back and contribute to the economy once more. Mitigating the impact of this crisis must be a top priority of the Scottish Government, as it is for the Committee. We will be working with the Cabinet Secretary to ensure all that can be done is being done.”
The committee will publish responses on its website on a regular basis over the coming weeks and months.
| The call for views can be found here. |
HIT SCOTLAND LAUNCHES UPDATED HOME LEARNING APP
What is HIT Scotland?
Established in 1994, the charity supports literally tens of thousands of people working and studying in the hospitality industry in Scotland to broaden their skills and experience by taking advantage of a tailored learning experience offered through the HIT scholarship programme. HIT’s aim is to encourage the development of anyone working or studying in the sector.
However, in these difficult and restrictive times, when the charity would normally be getting the industry together at events around the country, delivering scholarships locally, nationally and internationally, they have focused on updating their home learning APP. The APP has a collection of self-development links and activities that will help individuals continue to engage with the industry and update their skills and knowledge.
For more information on HIT Scotland and how to download the free APP click