CHANCELLOR MUST ENSURE EMPLOYEES RECEIVE FURLOUGH MONEY CLAIMED ON THEIR BEHALF
Patricia Gibson MP has urged the UK government to ensure that all of the tax-payers money paid out under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme reaches the furloughed employees for whom it is intended.
Mrs Gibson is asking Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to advise employees what money was paid to employers on their behalf.
Currently, HMRC’s Real Time Information system can only be accessed by an employer or an agent authorised by the employer.
Workers have no means of knowing if their National, Insurance number has been used to claim up to £2,500 a month under the scheme.
Commenting, Mrs Gibson said:
“I welcomed the UK Government’s roll-out of the Job Retention scheme. However, it must now act to ensure furlough is not undermined.
“It is totally unacceptable that employees could have their National Insurance number used without their knowledge and without them getting the money they are due.
“HM Treasury must ensure that all furloughed employees obtain money claimed on their behalf and have the information they need to help them monitor this. This will prevent a situation whereby some unscrupulous employers fraudulently divert money meant for furloughed workers.”
Hundreds of workers report employers for furlough scheme fraud:
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