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NOTE:  The job support scheme has now been postponed and furlough arrangements extended as of 31 October...

The end of free movement and the introduction of the new points-based immigration system- what employers need to know.  On 1 January 2021, the new points-based immigration system will come into effect.  What does this mean for employers who employ EU-nationals?

A new Job Support Scheme designed to protect viable jobs for those workers in businesses that will continue to face a downturn in business over the coming months has been introduced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer this week.

The Scheme will open on 1 November after the current Corona Virus Job Retention Scheme (furlough) has come to an end and will run for 6 months.

The latest Home Office publications show that the plan to end free movement of people is very much still on track. On 1 January 2021, the new points-based immigration system will come into effect.  But what does this mean for employers who employ EU-nationals?

As we learnt from the last update, from 1 July employers will only be able to furlough employees who have already been furloughed for the minimum period of three weeks, meaning that the last date on which employers could furlough employees for the first time was 10 June.  Also from 1 July employers will be able to implement ‘flexible furlough’. This includes part-time working arrangements alongside furlough as well as the removal of the minimum furlough period of three consecutive weeks. From 1 July the new flexible furlough agreements can last for any period.

We now have details of how furlough leave will look moving forwards. It was expected that there would be a change from 1 August but in fact from 1‌‌ July 2020 employers will have the flexibility to bring previously furloughed workers back to work part-time.

We have summarised below some further recent updates for employers managing their way through the current pandemic. As ever, please do get in touch with any questions at all.