On 15 April 2021 the Treasury published the seventh (and perhaps the final) Treasury Direction extending the Scheme from 1 May to 30 September 2021. This Direction can be accessed here

It is important to remember that it is the Direction, and not the guidance, that sets out the legal framework for the Scheme.

The Schedule to this Direction sets out rules for the Scheme applying for the period beginning on 1 May 2021 and ending on 30 September 2021. The previous CJRS Directions continue to have effect but are modified to the extent set out in that Schedule.

The key changes (which Members are already aware of) are in relation to reference dates for employment to determine eligibility. The Direction also sets out how to calculate the reference salary and usual hours for each category of person.

Important dates to diarise are the deadlines for submitting claims, which are as follows:

• For claims in month of May 2021, deadline is 14 June 2021
• For claims in month of June 2021, deadline is 14 July 2021 (This is a bank holiday in NI and therefore Members should ensure that they can comply with this deadline)
• For claims in month of July 2021, deadline is 14 August 2021
• For claims in month of August 2021, deadline is 14 September 2021
• For claims in month of September 2021 (when Scheme ends), deadline is 14 October 2021