Rishi Sunak issues important furlough scheme pay update to working mums and dads

Parents who return to work following extended leave after the June cut-off date for furlough payments will still be eligible for them, the Treasury has said.
Stock image.Stock image.
Stock image.

Those on statutory maternity and paternity leave who return to work in the next few months will be eligible for the furlough scheme after June 10, the Government said.

With the coronavirus job retention scheme set to close to new entrants at the end of June, people on paternity and maternity leave who return to work will remain eligible for the furlough scheme.

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It has been extended until October with extra contributions from employers being introduced.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: "When I announced these changes to the furlough scheme last month, I was clear that we wanted to do this in a fair way, that supports people back to work as the country begins to reopen following coronavirus.

"But for parents returning from leave, their circumstances has meant that they are still in need of support, and I'm pleased that they will be able to receive the financial assistance they and their family will need."

Further details of the change will be published on June 12, the Treasury said.

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The Treasury said: "To enable the introduction of part-time furloughing, and support those already furloughed back to work, claims from July onwards will be restricted to employers currently using the scheme and previously furloughed employees. This means people must be on the furlough scheme by 10 June.

"However, the Government today confirmed that parents on statutory maternity and paternity leave who return to work in the coming months after a long period of absence will be permitted to be furloughed.

"This will only apply where they work for an employer who has previously furloughed employees."