News 31 October - 6 November 2020

This week we look at the government’s new return to the furlough scheme along with the usual smattering of stories across a range of Employment issues, hitting our windscreens this week at very high speed with the wipers on full.

On Halloween the TUC released a report highlighting the pay gap between disabled workers who on average earn 20% less than their able bodied colleagues.(1) The National looks at the recommendations outlined in the Scott Report to address the multiple unjust convictions of striking miners in the Miners Strikes of the 1980’s. (2)  The Information Commissioner’s Office has released new guidelines on Data Subject Access Requests.(3)  The latest guidance runs to 81 pages and aims to provide further clarity in anticipation of a wave of requests likely to be submitted by employees facing redundancy as the job protections provided by government start to fall away in 2021 (in theory).

And so to the Coronavirus.  New restrictions came into effect nationally on 5 November 2020 effectively removing the tier system and returning England to the tightest constraints since the initial lockdown on 23/03/2020.(4)  Following rapidly on the heels of the announcement made on 31 October 2020, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced an extension of the furlough scheme, re-instating the governments contribution of 80% of regular wages again capped at £2,500 pr calendar month.  Specific details can be found here.(5)  This extension will effectively replace the Job Support Scheme but will be reviewed on 31/03/2021.

Finally, Clyde & Co look at the public sector exit payments cap of £95,000 which came into force on 4 November 2020.(6) That’s all for now, more as it breaks.