Updates to the Job Retention Scheme and no “lavish” international holidays this summer

By Tim Le Couilliard, Newgate Public Affairs

Four government ministers made statements and appearances today with additional information published about children returning to schools. Please read on for our succinct summary of all the key announcements that will affect you and your businesses. 

Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer (latest update: Chancellor extends furlough scheme until October) 

In what was the set piece of the statements today, Rishi Sunak provided the update to the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – providing greater levels of ongoing support than had been expected. Sunak announced that the scheme is to remain open until the end of October 2020, with no adjustments until the end of July. Between August to October, the scheme will be given “greater flexibility” as employers will then be able to furlough staff part-time, with employers contributing a percentage towards salaries (substituting the contribution the government is currently providing, whilst maintaining salaries of 80%, up to £2,500 a month). More specific details and information on the changes to the scheme will be made available “by the end of this month”.

Under new figures announced today, the scheme is now supporting around 7.5 million jobs from 935,000 employers, with a total of £10.1 billion claimed. In addition, businesses have also received over £14 billion in loans and guarantees, including 268,000 Bounce Back Loans (£8.3 billion), 36,000 Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (£6 billion) and £359 million through the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme. 

Alok Sharma, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (latest guidance: Working safely during coronavirus)

In what was perhaps the most important pack of government guidance provided so far, the government overnight published its guidance for Working Safely During Coronavirus. This provides an eight-part guide, covering a range of different types of work, on steps companies should take in returning their workforce to work. All the time, the message has remained that those who can work from home, should work from home. For those who cannot work from home and whose workplace has not been told to close, the government is now actively encouraging these people to now go back to work.

For this to happen, Alok Sharma has called on all employers to carry out a Covid-19 Risk Assessment and to share the results with its workforce.  All employers with over 50 employees are to share the risk assessment on their website. During this evening’s Downing Street statement, Sharma called on those who cannot work from home to “speak to their employer about going back to work”.

For this to be better managed, Sharma has also announced that an additional £14 million is to be made available to the Health and Safety Executive, which represents an actional 10% of its budget.

The eight different guides published by BEIS cover the following workplaces:

• Construction and other outdoor work
• Factories, plants and warehouses
• Labs and research facilities
• Offices and contact centres
• Other people’s homes
• Restaurants offering takeaway or delivery
• Shops and branches
• Vehicles

In delivering this evenings Downing Street briefing, Sharma announced that has been an increase of 627 deaths since yesterday, meaning that now 32,692 have now sadly died. Urging people to abide the government’s new motto, Sharma stated that, “if everyone stays alert, we can control coronavirus, and this is how we keep the R down”.

Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport (latest guidance: New guidance published to ensure transport network is safe for those who need to use it)

Grant Shapps has provided an update on the government guidance relating to transport during the outbreak. Shapps has called on workers who need to travel and have access to cars, to use them before public transport, as studies have shown that the current transport system will only have the capacity for a 10^th of commuters (on pre coronavirus figures). Once again, Shapps used the opportunity to highlight the £2 billion package encouraging more people to cycle and walk to work.

Those who do require public transport are being encouraged (but not mandated) to wear face coverings, and to maintain personal hygiene, washing before and after travelling. Travellers are asked to avoid rush hour travel and to use contactless payment. PPE can even be home-made with the government recently providing an infographic on how face coverings can be made from old t-shirts – the government is actively encouraging people not to use medical-grade PPE, as this would reduce the supply available to medical workers.

Internationally, Shapps stated that the two-week quarantine for new arrivals to the UK is unlikely to be in force “before the end of the month” and that it had not already been introduced as the UK had “millions of Brits to bring home”.

Gavin Williamson, Secretary of State for Education (latest guidance: Actions for education and childcare settings)

The government has also provided an update on the plans it has for reopening the education system. From the week commencing 1 June at the earliest, the government will be asking primary schools to allow back children in Nursery, Reception, year 1 and year 6, alongside priority groups. Secondary schools, sixth form and further education colleges are to offer some face-to-face support to supplement the remote education of year 10 and year 12 students who are due to take key exams next summer.

The government has begun asking nurseries and other early years providers, including childminders, to begin welcoming back all children.

Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

Matt Hancock had the initial broadcast round this morning, much of which was spent clarifying the perceived mixed messages coming out of the government over the last few days. Addressing concerns over the changes to the lockdown rules, Hancock clarified that it is possible to visit one parent at a time, but still with no “social hugs”. He said the government had to draw a line somewhere when limiting social contact, and one-to-one meetings outdoors was a reasonable way to “protect everybody against that burgeoning into large groups of people”. Hancock stated that he is expecting “hospitality” to reopen from July, but only with social distancing still in place.

Hancock put a downer on those seeking to go abroad for their summer holidays, stating that, as “a reality of life”, “lavish international holidays are unlikely to be possible for this summer”. 

Hancock did signal that the country could expect a further easing of the lockdown in the near future, which would support those who were unable to see relatives, family and friends – but only whilst protecting the R number. 

On a separate note, from between 8PM and 11PM tonight, an image of Florence Nightingale will be projected onto the Houses of Parliament to mark what would have been her 200^th birthday. It will be supported along with a message of gratitude to health care workers across the United Kingdom.

If you require support in navigating the latest government guidance, announcements or documents, or any other government affairs, please get in touch with Newgate’s Public Affairs team: publicaffairs@newgatecomms.com