Current furlough rules require that people furloughed cannot do anything that will provide services to their employer or make money for them, which is obviously sensible. However, some charities have suggested that the rules could be varied. Many are having all sorts of financial problems and are having to furlough employees; people who work for charities tend to be committed to the aims of the charity and would like to volunteer to ensure that people they help aren't left high and dry. Charities that just can't shut up shop are in an impossible situation if they can't get any assistance with essential employees' salaries, and are potentially looking at having to close down. Government charity funding is limited to what is described as frontline charities, whilst lottery funding is limited to local ones - so small charities that don't restrict their operations locally but aren't deemed frontline can't benefit.
Allowing furloughed charity employees who want to volunteer for their employer to do so seems a relatively easy option, and limitations could be built in to ensure that costs don't spiral. Charities are going to be needed more than ever as we come out of this, with so many people losing their jobs and businesses, so action that enables them to keep going is likely to benefit the country in the long term.
What do people think?