To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail (i) the costs to businesses for furloughed staff; and (ii) whether she has any plans to financially support businesses to cover costs of furloughed staff to prevent further redundancies.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough) is run by HMRC on behalf

of the UK Government.

Under the grant scheme, the government will cover 80% of wages for the period

1 November 2020 to 30 April 2021. Businesses still need to pay employer

National Insurance contributions and employer pension contributions, and

cannot claim for these. Businesses can also choose to top up employees’ wages

above the minimum 80% furlough pay but are not required to.

The Department for the Economy has provided over £370 million of support to

over 30,000 businesses and individuals, and is currently delivering millions of

pounds to thousands more.

Any new or additional Covid related funding and its allocation would require

collective agreement by the Executive.