Key workers who are not able to take their annual leave because of coronavirus will be able to carry holiday entitlement over for two years, it has been announced.
Under new regulations, workers will be able to carry over up to four weeks of unused leave if it’s not ‘reasonably practicable’ for them to take it this year.
NHS workers, police officers, delivery drivers and supermarket workers are among the workers likely to benefit most from the scheme as many are working around the clock to support the country as the virus continues to spread.
Without the change in regulations, workers were at risk of being penalised and employers would have faced fines if they failed to ensure staff took their statutory entitlement in any one year.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said on Friday, ‘Whether it is in our hospitals, or our supermarkets, people are working around the clock to help our country deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
‘Today’s changes will mean these valued employees do not lose out on the annual leave they are entitled to as a result of their efforts, and employers are not penalised.’
Environment Secretary George Eustice added, ‘From our fields to our supermarkets, we are hugely grateful to the many people working around the clock to keep the nation fed.
‘At this crucial time, relaxing laws on statutory leave will help ensure key workers can continue the important work to keep supplies flowing, but without losing the crucial time off they are entitled to.'
It was also announced that the Government will cover employer pension payments for furloughed staff.
On Saturday, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove warned Britons to brace for a ‘significant’ period of lockdown as the country battles to curb the rise of COVID-19 infections and shield the NHS.
Speaking on the Andrew Marr Show, Gove said, 'Everyone is making a sacrifice and I appreciate the scale of that sacrifice. But the reason all of us are making these sacrifices is because all of us will have people whom we love who are at risk from this virus.'
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