Job Retention Scheme extended and will become more flexible

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has extended the lifeline for millions of UK workers, announcing that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), due to finish at the end of June, is being extended! to the end of October.

In an announcement earlier today the Chancellor confirmed that the scheme will be maintained in its current format until the end of July.

From August the scheme will become more flexible, with employers able to bring furloughed staff back to work on a part-time basis. The Chancellor also indicated that he would be expecting employers to contribute towards the cost of furloughing from August onwards.

The scheme has so far helped over a million businesses to furlough 7.5 million people. The CIPD claims that the CJRS has already safeguarded 4.2 million jobs in the UK.

“The extension of the CJRS is great news for all employers that are trying to plan their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said BVRLA Chief Executive, Gerry Keaney.

“We would like to thank all of the members that provided their feedback on this topic and helped us send a clear message to Government.”

Full details of how the Job Retention Scheme will work beyond July will be announced later this month.

Government publishes new COVID-19 safety guidelines for the workplace

The government has published guidance to help employers, employees and the self-employed to understand how to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic.

The guidance should be considered alongside local public health and safety requirements for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It covers eight workplace settings and with many businesses operating in more than one type of workplace, such as an office, a branch and a fleet of vehicles, you may need to use more than one of these guides as you consider what you need to do to keep everybody safe.

The guidance sets out practical steps for businesses focused on five key points, which should be implemented as soon as it is practical:

• Work from home, if you can
• Carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment, in consultation with workers or trade unions
• Maintain two metres social distancing, wherever possible
• Where people cannot be two metres apart, manage transmission risk
• Reinforce cleaning processes  

The eight workplace settings with published ‘Covid-19 secure guidelines’ are as follows:

Vehicles – for those who work in or from vehicles, including couriers, mobile workers, lorry driv! ers, on-s ite transit and work vehicles, field forces and similar. 

Shops and branches – for those who work in or run shops, branches, stores or similar environments.

Offices and contact centres – for those who work in or run offices, contact centres and similar indoor environments

Construction and other outdoor work – for those who work in or run outdoor work environments.

Factories, plants and warehouses - for those who work in or run factories, plants and warehouses

Homes – for those who work in, visit or deliver to home environments as well as their employers

Labs and research facilities – for those who work in or run indoor labs and research facilities and similar environments

Restaurants offering takeaway or delivery – for those who work in or run restaurants offering takeaway or delivery services.

The BVRLA is currently working on more detailed and specific safety guidance for the vehicle rental and leasing sector. This will be cross-referenced with the new government guidelines and published shortly.

Guidance for transport operators

The government has published guidance to help organisations, agencies and self-employed transport providers understand how to provide safer workplaces and services for themselves, their workers and passengers across all modes of private and public transport.

Updated social distancing guidance

New guidance on social distancing has been published. The guidance includes information such as staying at home, visiting public places, businesses and venues and going to work.

The guidance applies in England only. Those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should follow the specific rules in those parts of the UK.

COVID-19 lockdown FAQs updated

Following the Prime Minister’s recent announcements unveiling his roadmap to releasing the lockdown, commentators and the public have voiced concerns that they are confused about what they now can and cannot do.

To provide some clarity, the government has updated its set of FAQs which outlines what people can and cannot do as of tomorrow (Wednesday 13 May). This only applies to people in England. Those in other parts of the UK should follow the rules of their respective devolved nation.

Active transport strategy to ease pressure on public transport

Pop-up bike lanes with protected space for cycling, wider pavements, safer junctions, and cycle and bus-only corridors will be created in England within weeks, as part of a £250 million emergency active travel fund to relieve the pressure on public transport.

The BVRLA website is updated daily with Covid-19 Business advice and information

As well as receiving these Covid-19 Bulletin emails, members are also reminded that the BVRLA website contains a dedicated Covid-19 Business Advice section hosting all the latest information as well as the previous Covid-19 Bulletins that have been issued since they launched on 17 March.

If you have a colleague who would also like to receive the BVRLA Covid-19 Bulletin, they should email BVRLA Communications Manager Andrea Davies at andrea@bvrla.co.uk