Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the guidance issued by his Department to private nurseries on furloughing employees during the covid-19 outbreak.

Although the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) is UK-wide, the Department for Education’s guidance relating to it applies to England only. Whether or not the Scottish Government should publish equivalent guidance is a decision for the Scottish Government, with the input of HM Treasury.

The Scottish Government has been closely involved in the UK response to COVID-19. Treasury ministers and officials are in close touch with their Scottish counterparts regarding the CJSR.