Government issues ‘Treasury Direction’ setting out the legal framework for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Made under provisions in the Coronavirus Act 2020, the new Direction requires HMRC to be responsible for the payment and management of amounts to be paid under the Scheme

The government has issued a 'Treasury Direction' setting out the legal framework for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Made under section 71 and section 76 of the Coronavirus Act 2020, the new Direction -

'... requires Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs to be responsible for the payment and management of amounts to be paid under the scheme set out in the Schedule to this direction ...'

For more information, see Treasury Direction made under Sections 71 and 76 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 from gov.uk

NB - the government has also today announced that the eligibility cut-off date for the Job Retention Scheme has been extended to 19 March 2020, a move that is expected to benefit more than 200,000 employees affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.