furlough fraud - Protect - Speak up stop harm

Whistleblowing report finds minimum wage complaints at lowest level in four years

11th November 20219th November 2021 by Alex Allen

A report by law firm Pinsent Masons has found whistleblower reports of national minimum wage violations fell to just 2,488 for the past year, down from 2,580 in the previous 12 months – and the lowest level in four years. Pinsent Masons said that although extensive furlough in hospitality and retail sectors during the pandemic was partly responsible for the decline in ... Read more

Furloughed restaurant employee had concerns over illegal working ignored

17th February 2021 by Alex Allen

During the Covid-19 pandemic – whilst restaurants were required to be closed – Jamie’s employer told him they would be opening a take-away branch of the existing restaurant and wanted the help of furloughed staff to run it. Jamie (not his real name)objected and challenged this on the basis that it is against the Government ... Read more

Protect back proposals to publish names of firms receiving furlough

22nd December 2020 by Alex Allen

Protect backs proposals by spending watchdog, the Public Accounts Committee for HMRC to publish the names of firms claiming furlough by the end of January, as a way to help stop fraud and abuse of the scheme. The scheme has paid the wages of more than 9m workers at a cost of £46 billion – … Read more

A year like no other for Protect’s Advice Line

17th December 202017th December 2020 by Alex Allen

The 16 March 2020 will be remembered as a key moment in how Covid-19 affected the United Kingdom. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that evening that all of the UK, if possible, should work from home. Effective immediately. For over a quarter of a century, Protect has been providing free legal advice to whistleblowers through … Read more

Whistleblowers can stop new “furlough” fraud

7th August 202021st April 2020 by Alex Allen

The Covid-19 crisis has given rise to fast changing laws and regulations, and new loopholes and opportunities for fraud have emerged. Within a few weeks of the furlough scheme’s introduction, Protect has seen a rising trend in calls from whistleblowers concerned their employer is acting unlawfully. Whistleblowers will be vital in policing this scheme to … Read more