Furlough
Our coverage of the furlough scheme and its impact on the UK foodservice, hospitality, and catering sectors. We report on government policy updates, employer experiences, sector-specific challenges, and the operational and financial implications for restaurants, pubs, bars, and contract caterers. From workforce retention and reopening strategies to lessons learned post-scheme, this content supports industry professionals navigating staffing, recovery planning, and long-term resilience in a post-pandemic landscape.
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Jul- 2020 -9 JulyCoronavirus
Arrest over suspected furlough fraud
A West Midlands man has been arrested as part of an HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) investigation into a suspected £495,000 Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) fraud. HMRC officers executed a search warrant yesterday (8 July 2020) in the Solihull area and arrested the 57-year-old. This is the first arrest…
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9 JulyCoronavirus
Chancellor cuts hospitality VAT to 5%
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has unveiled a new scheme to pay companies £1,000 bonus per employee for those they keep on until January on part pay. Sunak said if employers bring back all nine million people who have been furloughed, this will be a “£9bn policy to retain people in work”.…
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6 JulyCoronavirus
Hospitality sector calls for business investment package
Industry leaders in hospitality have urged the government to commit to an “ambitious” programme of business support and investment to stimulate the revival of the sector as restrictions begin to ease. In a letter signed by 120 hospitality leaders, the government has been called on to “act decisively” for a…
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1 JulyBusiness
Upper Crust owner SSP set to cut 5,000 jobs amid dwindling demand
Some 5,000 jobs at Upper Crust owner SSP could be axed as the company faces dwindling demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic. SSP said the impact on passenger travel arising from Covid-19 resulted in the closure of almost all of its units in the UK. It added that its intention…
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Jun- 2020 -30 JuneCoronavirus
Government confirms changes to ‘flexible’ furlough scheme
The UK government has confirmed the latest set of changes to its “flexible” furlough scheme – dubbed CJRS V2 – ahead of its launch of the 1 July. HM Revenue and Customs has set out the new guidance as the current version of the Coronavirus Job retention Scheme (CJRS) ends…
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24 JuneBusiness Bites
Nine ways to encourage pubs, bars and restaurants to remain Covid-secure as they prepare to reopen
Since the Covid-19 pandemic brought about the temporary lockdown across the UK since 20 March, we’ve seen closure of our pubs, bars and restaurants for several months. With the UK government’s phased approach of easing lockdown restrictions slowly unfolding, the announcement came that hospitality businesses could see themselves trading again…
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18 JuneComment
Employers given 30 days to ‘confess’ to furlough abuses
Legislation is currently being fast-tracked to allow HMRC to reclaim any furlough money overpaid to employers, or not spent on wages as intended. Although we do not have the final version of the legislation, employers should start addressing their minds to the claims they have made to date as soon…
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17 JuneBeverages
Beer and pub sector demands a ‘definitive date’ for reopening
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has demanded the UK government give a “clear date” for when pubs can reopen. The trade association said the UK government must give a “clear, definitive date” for when pubs can reopen to give the sector the confidence and certainty it needs to…
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16 JuneBreweries and Distilleries
Brewers need further support and certainty on when and how pubs can open, says SIBA
Some 80% of small breweries believe the government is “not doing enough” to support them amid the Covid-19 pandemic. In a new survey conducted by Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) revealed 84% of small breweries expect the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent social distancing measures to have a lasting negative impact…
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15 JunePubs and Bars
BBPA urges government to confirm date for pub reopenings
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has urged the government to confirm a definitive date when all pubs can re-open as well as publish the final safety guidelines the sector needs to be ready for reopening. The government’s roadmap indicated pubs would be able to re-open from 4 July.…
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