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Latest CJRS statistics – January 2021 1 March 2021
The latest set of statistics relating to claims made under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) have been published.
The update includes data relating to claims for the periods up until 31 January 2021 and incorporates data for claims that were submitted to HMRC by the deadline date for that period of 15 February 2021. Employers were able to file claims later than that date if they reached an agreement with HMRC, where they had a reasonable excuse, and claims for January 2021 can be altered up until 1 March 2021, but it is expected that this would have minimum impact on the figures that have been provided. Cumulatively, from March 2020 (when the CJRS began) to January 2021, 11.2 million employments have been furloughed across 1.3 million employer PAYE schemes, resulting in a total claims value of £53.8 billion. The most recently added data highlights the fact that the activity of furloughing staff across all sectors increased in the period up to 31 January 2021, which will be due to the introduction of tighter restrictions on businesses from 6 January 2021. In November 2020, 3.9 million employments were furloughed, which increased to 4 million as of 31 December 2020, and the latest data indicates that there was a subsequent increase in January to 4.7 million employments being furloughed by 31 January 2021.
CIPP comment
The figures demonstrate the fact that the CJRS is still being used by many businesses to support both themselves, and their staff. Several sources are claiming, ahead of the Budget on 3 March 2021, that Chancellor, Rishi Sunak will extend the CJRS, and the statistics could serve to demonstrate why this step needs to be taken.
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CJRS FAQs 10 March 2021
With an abundance of on-line guidance on calculating furlough claims published on various websites, it’s not surprising that payroll professionals can become confused. With the Chancellor announcing that they are investing millions of pounds into a Taxpayer Protection Taskforce, ensuring your claims are correct, could not be more prevalent.
Considering this and the volume of enquires into our Advisory service, the CIPPs Advisory team have complied some frequently asked questions surrounding furlough calculations which you may find useful.
Q: What is the minimum furlough period?
A: There is no minimum number of days or weeks for a furlough period; not to be confused with the 7-day minimum which refers only to the claim period.
Q: Can you pay furlough whilst an employee is on Jury service?
A: You may continue to pay and claim furlough pay under the CJRS, as statutory leave can be interspersed with furlough leave.
You should only compete the loss of earnings form provided by the courts if you are not going to pay the employee for the period they are on Jury leave.
The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals
Payroll: need to know
cipp.org.uk
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