Local MP Philip Dunne has welcomed swift payment by HMRC to South Shropshire employers, through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Wages for furloughed employees are now being paid through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, just a week after claims opened. Payments for claims made on Monday 20 April will be in employers’ bank accounts by tomorrow (28 April).

Mr Dunne said: “This is a difficult time for employers and employees alike, as they seek to deal with the impact of this wretched disease. I am very pleased the brand new system set up by HMRC to provide 80% of furloughed workers salaries is getting money to employers so quickly, providing some much needed reassurance.

Employers don’t need to worry if they haven’t received payment yet – it takes six working days from when they claimed. I encourage any employers who haven’t done so yet to make the most of the scheme, and apply through HMRC.”

Employers can still claim online for a grant for 80% of their furloughed employees’ salaries, including employers’ NI and pension contributions, up to a maximum of £2,500 per employee, per month. They will receive the funds six working days after they claim, provided their claim matches records that HMRC hold for their PAYE scheme.

Employers should read all the available guidance before applying. To find the latest guidance, they should go to GOV.UK and search for ‘Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’.

HMRC have advised employers to retain all records and calculations for their claims, in case they need to contact them in future, as they continue to check claims made through the scheme.