Coronavirus - Government announcement

Further information on Working Safely and the Job retention scheme extension have been provided as part of a major government Covid-19 related announcement.

Working Safely

The Government, in consultation with industry, has published guidance to help employers, employees and the self-employed understand how to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic. The new guidance covers eight workplace settings and can be viewed at www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19. Of most relevance for the majority of members will be:

• Construction and outdoor work, and;
• Working in other people’s homes
  
  

However, there will be plenty of interest in areas such as plants/ factories, shops and branches and vehicles as the professional lives of plumbing and heating specialists frequently incorporates these environments too.

Job retention scheme extension

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has today announced the extension of the job retention scheme until the end of October 2020. You can find out more about this and the adaptations intended to get businesses fully functioning again can be found at:

• https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-extends-furlough-scheme-until-october