The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021 (SI 2021/891) (Regulations) were made on 22 July 2021 and come into force on 11 November 2021.

The new provision will require staff employed in registered care homes (regulated by the Care Quality Commission) to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they are medically exempt. The changes also affect those visiting care homes, although some exemptions apply.

Whilst the focus is primarily on those working in social care, it is important to note that workers and tradespeople generally will be prohibited from entering care home settings unless they have been fully vaccinated. All employers contracting within this sector should therefore review whether the new rules will prevent any of its own workforce from undertaking work in these environments.

It should also be noted that the only material exemption from vaccination is for clinical reasons. An employee will seemingly not be discriminated against if they suffer detriment or dismissal for refusing the vaccine on other grounds, such as their religious or philosophical beliefs.

https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/care-home-staff-deadline-set-for-mandatory-covid-19-jabs/

Updated on 29 July 2021, the latest guidance and information on a range of government programmes, some of which offer financial incentives, are available for employers who are considering hiring employees, offering work experience or upskilling existing staff.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/plan-for-jobs-skills-and-employment-programmes-information-for-employers

From 1 August 2021, the government will contribute 60% of wages up to a maximum cap of £1,875 for the hours the employee is on furlough. Employers will top up employees’ wages to make sure they receive 80% of wages (up to £2,500) in total for the hours the employee is on furlough.

Employers must still pay National Insurance contributions and employer pension contributions.

Employers can choose to top up their employees’ wages above the minimum 80% furlough pay amount but it is not compulsory.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme/changes-to-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

It is a requirement under Data Protection law for organisations who are responsible for personal data to have appropriate technical and organisational measures in place to ensure that personal data is secure.

The ICO found that the charity did not restrict access to its internal email group and should have considered either encrypting or using pseudonyms which would add an extra layer of protection to the personal data which it was processing.

https://www.chadwicklawrence.co.uk/news/information-commissioners-office-fines-charity-personal-data-breach-exposing-sensitive-personal-data-online/