The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (“the Scheme”) is set to change again from 1 September 2020 in line with previous government announcements. Effective from 1 September 2020, the government will reduce the percentage amount an Employer can claim under the scheme by 10% down to 70% of employee salary.

The journal Lancet Oncology last week predicted that delays in treatment since Covid in March could lead to 3,500 avoidable cancer deaths in England in the next five years. Mary Smith, an expert in clinical negligence claims based in Bristol, stated that the NHS was struggling to meet service demand before the pandemic took place with a waiting list amounting to 4 million.

In an attempt to encourage positive behaviours in clinical negligence litigation, NHS Resolution, the Society of Clinical Injury Lawyers and patient safety charity Action against Medical Accidents have all collaborated on the Covid-19 Clinical Negligence Protocol 2020.

​Gareth Dando, Partner in Ramsdens Employment team has featured in has featured on HR Grapevine’s latest podcast talking about how #HR teams and departments can prepare for potential of a second lockdown.

During the first 7 weeks of lockdown in the UK, the police took one call every 30 seconds relating to domestic abuse. The charity Refuge reported a 700% increase in calls to its helpline in a single day. The UN has described the global spike in domestic abuse as a “shadow pandemic” alongside Covid-19.

As solicitors we have had to come up with various different ways and means to ensure that our clients can obtain a valid Will in the challenging and often changing COVID-19 environment. We have witnessed Wills through windows, on car bonnets and even on wheelie bins, but in some cases this might no longer be necessary.

​Employers will welcome clarification that a worker self-isolating because a person in a ‘linked household’ – a household in the same ‘bubble’ - has COVID-19, or shows symptoms of it, is entitled to statutory sick pay (SSP). Previously, SSP was only payable if a worker had to self-isolate because someone in their own household was ill or had symptoms of the virus.

​The review on Legal Aid has restarted following a pause induced by the impact of COVID-19. Justice Minister, Alex Chalk, informed the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Legal Aid that the review has re-commenced with a plan to publish findings in Spring 2021.