Martin Lewis persuades the government to allow firms to rehire and furlough staff who left for jobs that fell through
FIRMS will be able to rehire and furlough staff who left for jobs that fell through due to the coronavirus after a campaign by Martin Lewis.
Under the coronavirus job retention scheme, employers can put staff on furlough and the government will then pay 80 per cent of their salary - up to £2,500.
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This applies to workers who were on the payroll on February 28, and employers can then top this up to 100 per cent although they're not required to.
Guidance has always said that employers can rehire and furlough staff they'd made redundant after this date.
Earlier this week, Martin also got confirmation that nothing prevents firms from doing the same for staff who've left for other jobs, and whose plans were then ruined due to coronavirus.
Yet without seeing this in black and white from officials, many employers said it couldn't be done.
But now Martin has persuaded HMRC to agree to change the official guidance.
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Although keep in mind that you're not automatically guaranteed your old job back as your previous employer doesn't have to rehire you.
Also, where the unemployment isn't caused by the coronavirus, firms can't rehire old staff in order to be furloughed.
A government spokesperson said: "The coronavirus job retention scheme is aimed at those who would otherwise be unemployed as a result of coronavirus.
"It allows for those who were on the payroll of a company on 28 February but subsequently left to be put back on payroll and furloughed.
“This includes those who have resigned to start a new job after February 28.
"They may return to their old employer but decisions around whether to offer to furlough someone are down to the individual company."
While Martin added: "I’m grateful to the Treasury and HMRC for the official statement and agreeing this amendment to the guidance.
"While I’ve heard many cases of firms furloughing those they had made redundant, those in need who left voluntarily have met a brick wall.
"Some firms have simply been unwilling, and sadly the rules have given them full discretion, leaving those affected nowhere to go.
"Yet others have good relationships with their former colleagues and have told them, ‘we would if we could, but the rules don’t allow it’.
"Well now it’s official, the rules do allow it, and it would be wonderful if they deliver."
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The announcement comes as Martin Lewis said he "sits and cries" over the coronavirus crisis as he struggles to advise families in need.
A few weeks ago, Martin set up his own fund for charities helping coronavirus-hit people and he wants rich people to donate.
Plus, he's urged Brits who aren’t struggling financially to donate money to help people during the coronavirus crisis.