Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to monitor the use of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme by businesses that are able to continue operating at full staff strength during the covid-19 outbreak to ensure that resources are prioritised for the businesses and employees in most need.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is designed to help employers whose operations have been severely affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) to retain their employees and protect the UK economy. The Government recognises that businesses will face different impacts from coronavirus.

The scheme is open to employers that had created and started a PAYE payroll scheme on or before 19 March 2020, are enrolled for PAYE online and have a UK bank account. It is for employers to decide whether to offer to furlough employees. There is no limit on the amount of funding available for the scheme.

The Government expects employers to do the right thing, but HMRC reserve the right to follow up on claims and take whatever action is necessary if people abuse the CJRS scheme.