SPEAKING with Londra Gazete Accountant Tuğrul Yiğitoğlu evaluated the government decision to extend the furlough scheme in which employees are able to claim 80% of wages for those on compulsory leave by their employers during the coronavirus epidemic.
Yiğitoğlu, a partner at Accounting Direct Plus (ADPL), shared his information and advice on furlough scheme, UK economy, Brexit and Ankara Agreement.
Yiğitoğlu expressed the effect on employers and workers regarding the extension of the furlough: “Within the framework of the government’s statements made, the extension of the furlough means that many employers, especially workers in the food and entertainment sector, will cover their expenses for a while. The state aid contribution provides great support to employees in terms of income but also reduces the burden on employers for a little bit. This period, which has been extended until March, may change again in the discretion that the vaccine is found and the virus is brought under control in the near future.”
Also warn that the government will take action and investigate those who falsely claim: “Legal action has been taken against business owners who have abused such aids from the state… and we see that the tax office has increased its research on this issue. I would like to point out that since the tax office receives the declarations and data digitally, it is very easy to find those who made false statements in a short time. ”
Noting that Britain’s exit from the European Union with the coronavirus epidemic will not have a positive effect on the British economy, Yiğitoğlu emphasized the UK should immediately exit the EU and the country make plans to move forward. He said: ‘In this sense, maybe the time is not the right, but I believe that there is no point in waiting if it has to be done. No separation is easy and it will have both financial and moral and social problems, but this work should be resolved as soon as possible. ”
Around 30 thousand people benefit from the Ankara Agreement in the last 20 years, due to expire when the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. Yiğitoğlu stated that new immigration criteria have been published that will change with the realization of Brexit on December 31, 2020 and that the UK’s Ankara Agreement visa will expire on this date.
Saying: ‘‘Ankara Agreements are the issue that we have said and defended from the beginning, the state is currently offering aid opportunities to everyone, but we believe that it will be beneficial for them to talk with their lawyers and decide on these aid packages within the framework of the laws given by the Ministry of Interior. The point that should not be forgotten is that all the aids you have to apply are only if your workplace is closed or you don’t have enough earnings. “If your income has not changed or your workplace is not affected, you should think twice about applying for such benefits.”
