Furlough for Home Schooling

HMRC has updated its furlough guidance to confirm that the scheme can be used where employees are unable to work because they are caring for children while schools are closed.

Earlier this week, the government added a new section to its guidance that states employees are eligible for the grant and can be furloughed if they are unable to work, including from home or on reduced hours because they:

• are clinically extremely vulnerable, or at the highest risk of severe illness from coronavirus and following public health guidance
• have caring responsibilities resulting from coronavirus, such as caring for children who are at home as a result of school and childcare facilities closing, or caring for a vulnerable individual in their household.

The furlough scheme will be available until the end of April 2021 at 80%.