Build UK Daily Update
Source - Build UK
The Chancellor has announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be extended until the end of October 2020, avoiding a ‘cliff edge’ and getting people back to work in a measured way.
There will be no changes to the scheme until the end of July, with furloughed workers continuing to receive 80% of their salary, up to £2,500 a month. From the start of August, flexibility will be introduced which will enable employers to bring back furloughed workers part‐time and pay a percentage of their salaries. The scheme has supported almost one million businesses to furlough 7.5 million workers to date, and further information on the scheme going forward will be published by the end of this month.
With construction now being actively encouraged to return to work, Build UK Contractor members have reopened more sites, reporting this week that 77% of sites in England and Wales are open for business, up from 73% last week. 82% of infrastructure and construction projects are now running and output has remained consistent at 71%.
Members that include housing in their portfolios have reported a 13% increase in the number of housing sites now open, rising to 68% compared to 55% last week. Output has improved significantly and now stands at 53%, up from 29% two weeks ago.
This should increase further after Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick announced plans yesterday to re‐start the housing market, which as well as allowing people to move home safely will enable builders to agree extended working hours on construction sites with their local councils.