Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Seasonal workers in the tourism industry are falling between the cracks in the Coronavirus Job...
Recommendation
Seasonal workers in the tourism industry are falling between the cracks in the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. We recommend that DCMS works with the tourism sector and HM Treasury to review the measures in place to support tourism businesses and seasonal workers to ensure they fully meet the needs of the sector. We repeat the recommendation first made in our report on ‘The Covid-19 crisis and charities’ that the Government revisit the terms of the furlough scheme in its final few months to allow for greater flexibility for staff to volunteer their time back to their organisations. (Paragraph 95) 60 Impact of COVID-19 on DCMS sectors: First Report
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Since 1 July, employers have been able to bring back employees for any amount of time and any shift pattern, while still being able to claim grants under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for normal hours not worked. The Chancellor has said there will be no further extensions or changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and after eight months the scheme will close at the end of October. The introduction of flexible furloughing further ensures that businesses can adjust how they furlough to match their speed of reopening. Thereby, businesses will be able to claim flexibly under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme until October. Further, the Job Support Scheme will help protect viable jobs in businesses facing lower demand over the winter months due to Covid-19. Employers using this scheme will also be able to claim the Job Retention Bonus if they meet the eligibility criteria.