School closures | Call for firms to offer furlough to working parents

Following recent closures of schools due to the festive period, the Government has since announced that some schools will not reopen to all students as planned this week.

Due to this ‘last-minute’ decision, the TUC is calling on employers to consider offering furlough to all parents who may be affected by “this series of chaotic statements and last-minute approach”.

All secondary schools will remain closed this week, except for the children of key workers such as NHS staff, reported the BBC. Students are expected to return on a staggered basis from January 11.

The Government’s job retention scheme allows employers to place parents who can’t work due to a lack of childcare on furlough and is available from a minimum of seven days. According to the TUC, this would allow parents to share childcare responsibilities, as this incentive could also be offered on a part-time basis.