It’s All Change

It can be hard to keep on top of the latest advice and regulations at the best of times when you’re spread thin and busy with deadlines – let alone in the middle of a global pandemic. 
Understandably, many of our clients feel overwhelmed by all the information out there. Especially with so many opinion pieces and inaccurate assumptions, it can be hard to know what to trust. 
To help you cut through all of this noise, we’ve collated some useful resources to help address your most pressing concerns. 
This article outlines some of the key changes that you should be aware of and points you in the right direction for more information and support should you need it. 
We hope it helps in this stressful time. 

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme 

It is well reported that HMRC will reimburse 80% of furloughed workers’ wage costs up to a cap of £2,500pm. This is part of their plan to support businesses during the coronavirus outbreak. 
Who counts as a furloughed worker? 
A furloughed worker is someone who is still employed but not working, perhaps due to a lack of work. The purpose of this scheme is to help businesses to continue paying employees that would have otherwise been laid off by putting them on temporary leave. 
Furloughed employees must have been on your PAYE payroll on 28 February 2020, and can be on any type of contract, including: 

• Full-time employees 
• Part-time employees 
• Employees on agency contracts 

• Employees on flexible or zero-hour contracts 

 If you have made employees redundant since 28 February 2020, you can rehire and cover these employees under the scheme too. 
What will it cost the employer? 
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is open to all UK employers for at least three months starting from 1 March 2020. In addition to the 80% grant covered by the government, businesses must also pay:  

• Employer National Insurance contribution 
• Minimum enrolment employer pension contribution 

Where a company is being taken under the management of an administrator, the administrator will be able to access the Job Retention Scheme. 
Useful Resources 
A breakdown of the government support available for businesses 
How to access the scheme 

Claiming Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) 

If you’re self-isolating because of COVID-19, you are entitled to receive Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) of £94.25 per week. 
When can I claim SSP? 
New legislation has been brought forward to give you access to SSP from the first day you’re self-isolating and cannot work. This new legislation came into action on 13.03.20 and overrides the previous 4-day caveat. 
Useful Resources 
How to report and manage sickness in 10 easy steps 
When should I self-isolate? 
How to claim SSP 
 

Changes to IR35 

In light of the coronavirus creating business uncertainty and high levels of stress, the Treasury confirmed that they would postpone IR35 for another year. 
This means that businesses now have until April 2021 to address the reforms necessary. These changes will drive major change in the contracting industry. 
What is IR35? 
IR35 is designed to combat tax avoidance by “disguised employees”. Under new rules, every medium and large private sector business in the UK will become liable for setting the tax status of any employee that they hire – including contract and temporary workers. 
The new rules will apply to businesses with either: 

• 50+ employees 
• An annual turnover of over £10.2 million 

With many companies already reviewing their policies and contracts in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, now is a great time to address IR35 so that you’re prepared when the changes come in next April. 
Useful Resources 
What are the changes that IR35 will make? 
Understanding off-payroll working (IR35) 
 

The Good Work Plan 

As of April 2020, The Good Work Plan comes into place. This is a plan that sets out the government’s vision for the future of the UK labour market. It seeks to “reward people for hard work” in a bid to boost productivity and earnings in the UK. 
The new plan details how to address issues in our labour market, such as: 

• The implications of new forms of work 
• The rise of digital platforms
• Impacts of new working models 

The Good Work Plan also draws on recommendations about:

• Employment status 
• Agency workers 
• Increasing transparency in the labour market 
• The enforcement of employment rights 

Useful Resources 
What changes you should expect to see from The Good Work Plan 
Policy Paper – Good Work Plan 
 

Deferring VAT and Income Tax Payments 

The government have announced that they will support businesses by deferring tax payments, as outlined below. 
Deferred Deadlines: 

• If you’re self-employed, Income Tax payments due in July 2020 under the Self-Assessment system will be deferred to January 2021. 
• For VAT, the deferral will apply from 20 March 2020 until 30 June 2020. 

All UK businesses and self-employed individuals are eligible. There is no application required. 
Useful Resources 
Relieve temporary financial distress with HMRC Time to Pay Offer 
A breakdown of the government support available for businesses 

Supporting your employees’ financial wellbeing 

Typically, your employee’s largest financial outgoing will be their monthly mortgage payment.  
Taking a break from their mortgage – with a mortgage holiday of up to three months – can act as welcome financial relief. In this unsettling time, if you are having to cut or reduce hours, it may be worth providing some resources for your employees to access this aid. 
Am I Eligible? 
Whether you are eligible to take a payment holiday, for how long, and the conditions you must meet depends on: 

• Your lender 
• Your mortgage contract 
• Your financial circumstance 

It is best to advice that your employee contacts their bank directly to discuss a mortgage payment holiday. However, please do make them aware that this will make their payments go up afterwards. 
What About Those Who Rent? 
The government has announced a package of measures to protect renters that may be affected by Coronavirus and a subsequent loss of earnings. The emergency legislation means: 

• You cannot be evicted from social or private rented accommodation while this national emergency is taking place 
• Landlords can take out a mortgage holiday on their Buy to Let mortgage 

Useful Resources 
Pros and Cons of a Mortgage Holiday 
Mortgages and Coronavirus: Information for Consumers by FCA 
Government Press Release – Protection for Renters 
 

General Advice: 

Government Advice 

If you are still unsure about how you should be responding to the COVID-19 outbreak, please refer to GOV.UK platform here. It is frequently updated with the latest information and advice. 
For further guidance for employees, employers and businesses, please visit the government website here. 

Mental Health 

It is well recognised that isolation and the stress of the outbreak may be triggering for many, leading to a decline in mental health. 
In order to help you address this, we’ve attached some useful resources that help you become aware of your own mental state and some handy tips that may help you look after yourself during this difficult time. 
Discover how you should be looking after your mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak here. 
The mental health charity, MIND, have also released some support and resources to help you during this time. You can access this here. 

Working from Home 

If you’ve recently transitioned from office to home, the resources below may help you settle into your new work environment more seamlessly! 
Tips for creating a positive environment to work from are available here.  
Top tips for working from home are also available here. 
We also appreciate that it is especially hard for those who are working from home whilst simultaneously juggling homeschooling. If you’re looking for some advice about working from home with children, you can find some tips here.

What Next? 

If you have any concerns or questions about the latest changes in legislation or how they may affect you, please do not hesitate to contact us online or email hello@tercushr.co.uk and we will try our best to point you in the right direction.