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The coronavirus pandemic has put monumental stress on key workers in the UK, including NHS staff, carers and emergency workers. To show their appreciation, businesses have been offering key workers special discounts and offers. However, HMRC has been made aware of multiple tax avoidance schemes that have been targeting key workers (especially NHS) and trying to mislead them into avoiding their legal tax responsibilities.

If we rewind to 17th March this year, the Government announced they would be delaying off-payroll (IR35) in the private sector by 12 months. However, despite the delay, they have faced much scrutiny from professional bodies, temporary workers and employment agencies – because they all believe the legislation should be overhauled, or scrapped entirely.

As part of their coronavirus support strategy, the government has introduced bounce-back loans for small and medium-sized businesses. Formally known as The Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS), our limited company clients could be able to borrow between £2,000 and up to 25% of their turnover. The maximum amount available as part of the BBLS is £50,000. However, should you require more, additional government support may be available through other avenues.

Starting this week, Churchill Knight Umbrella will start processing furlough pay for our eligible clients on 80% of total earnings (up to £2,500.00 per month) with first payments due to begin this week.

Churchill Knight is aware that there is a lot of open discussions about umbrella companies and the furloughing of their clients on social media. We are pleased that that concerned parties are looking for answers on social media – as this is precisely what it is there for. However, we’re worried that several groups are claiming to have umbrella employees interests at heart, but are sharing incorrect and misleading information.

The government has created numerous support packages to help small businesses and contractors during the coronavirus pandemic. This includes the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and a similar scheme designed exclusively for the self-employed. This blog will summarise what support is available to small business owners, contractors and freelancers.

As things stand, Churchill Knight Umbrella is still unable to offer furloughed leave to our umbrella clients. At such an unprecedented time, we understand that our clients need financial support more than ever before. This is why we are urging the government to provide much-needed clarification on how umbrella companies process Holiday Pay and the Apprenticeship Levy.

As a way of supporting businesses and employees throughout the UK during the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic, the government has unveiled the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). You are now able to claim using this scheme, as the system went live on Monday 20th April.

Umbrella companies will provide you with an illustration to give you an idea of what your take home pay is likely to be after all relevant deductions have been made. While these illustrations are as accurate as possible, it is important to remember that they are only examples, and your actual take home may differ slightly.

According to the Office of National Statistics, less than 30% of the UK’s workforce have experienced working from home for themselves (data before the COVID-19 pandemic). However, as the threat of coronavirus has forced the government to implement a UK-wide lockdown, these figures have soared as millions of workers have been told they must work from home for the foreseeable future.