Martin Lewis has made an important confirmation regarding the furlough scheme this morning ahead of the upcoming national lockdown.
Taking to Twitter to address the public, Mr Lewis – of leading finance advice platform MoneySavingExpert.com – confirmed that those who have been made redundant in recent weeks can actually be rehired and then furloughed by their employer if they were employed as of 23rd September and on the payroll on or before 30th October.
He indicated that this confirmation “won’t work for many, but may be worth asking for some”.
It comes after it is speculated that a significant number of workers across the UK have been made redundant from their jobs over the past month or so as companies prepared for the furlough scheme to come to an end on 31st October.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed that the furlough scheme will be extended for a further month during the announcement of the four-week national lockdown in England, which will be voted on in Parliament on Wednesday and is expected to take effect from 0.01 GMT on Thursday 5th November.
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The furlough scheme will continue to cover 80% of employees’ wages.
CONFIRMED: If you've been made redundant, you can be rehired and furloughed by your employer if you were employed as of 23 Sept, and on the payroll on or before 30 Oct.
It won't work for many, but many be worth asking for some.
As well as providing initial confirmation of the redundancy re-hiring loophole, Martin Lewis then also offered further clarification on a number of questions members of the public were frequently posing to him.
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In a follow-up tweet, Mr Lewis wrote: “Just to answer a few common questions on this,
1. Can the firm refuse? Yes it can, furlough is always at the firm’s discretion.
2. I’m new to the firm can I be furloughed? Yes if you were on payroll by 30 October.
3. I was furloughed then taken off it, can I be furloughed again? Yes.”
He also then clarified that the furlough scheme is “currently UK wide” and not just applicable to England, but emphasised that the rules differ within each devolved administration.
A futher furlough clarification. Many mistakenly thinking furlough is only for Eng. It's not. The scheme is currently UK wide.
The confusion is as Sturgeon is (understandbly) arguing eg if england ends its lockdown and scotland starts one, can furlough continue just for Scot.
More information regarding the extension of the furlough scheme ahead of the national lockdown can be found via the MoneySavingExpert website here.
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You can now have a private sleepover amongst all the history inside Manchester Museum
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Museum is now offering one lucky family the chance to have a sleepover with Stan the Tyrannosaurus rex.
For the first time in Manchester Museum’s history, one lucky family will be given the chance to experience an incredible night at the museum.
This unique opportunity is being offered as part of a prize draw, allowing visitors to find out what happens once the sun goes down inside the Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery – in the company of Stan, the famous Tyrannosaurus rex, of course.
The Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery is one of the most iconic spaces within Manchester Museum.
Having opened to the public all the way back in 1888, it’s part of the museum’s original building designed by celebrated Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed Manchester Town Hall and London’s Natural History Museum.
Not only will the lucky winning family enjoy an overnight stay in the gallery, but they’ll also be treated to a guided torchlight tour of the galleries after the Museum has closed, as well as other fun activities and a film screening too before bed.
You can now have a private sleepover inside Manchester Museum / Credit: The Manc Group
“We can’t be completely sure what happens when the sun goes down in our Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery, because nobody has ever spent the night in there before, but we can only imagine the kind of fun that can be had with Stan the T. rex and his friends,” said Dean Whiteside, Head of Commercial and Operations at Manchester Museum.
“This is a chance to be a part of museum history and enjoy the kind of once-in-a-lifetime experience you can’t usually buy.
“At the same time, Manchester Museum is a charity so, by getting behind this initiative, you’ll be helping to support vital work that impacts the lives of people across Greater Manchester and beyond.”
Fancy it then? You can enter the prize draw by buying a ticket for £5 from the Manchester Museum Shop, with each ticket counting as one entry and the winner set to be chosen at random from all valid entries.
The prize draw is now open and closes on Monday 28 September 2026.
Featured Image – Supplied
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A Twilight rave is coming to Manchester with DJs blasting 2000s indie and emo anthems
Emily Sergeant
A Twilight rave is coming to Manchester this spooky season.
It’s been nearly 20 years since the release of the titular first film in the Twilight Saga, based on author Stephanie Meyer’s bestselling book series of the same name, but despite two decades having passed, the films remain as beloved as ever.
Twilight went on to become a global phenomenon when it first hit cinemas back in November 2008, not just with its target audience of teens and young adults, but with people of all ages – making stars out of its lead actors Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in the process, and generating millions at the box office.
With the impact it had on the culture at the time, it’s no wonder Twilight remained among fans’ favourites all these years later.
And this success is why events company Throwback Events is hosting a series of Twilight Raves across the UK and Europe this autumn, making a stop off here in Manchester in late November with tickets now on sale.
The event description reads: “Bella, where the hell you been loca? Join us as we celebrate Twilight at the club, where every day is Hoa Hoa Hoa season.
“Step into the shadows and relive the magic, mystery, and eternal romance of Twilight. Get ready for a night of anthems, nostalgia, and glittering darkness as we transform the dancefloor into Forks’ most iconic vampire coven.”
DJs will be spinning Twilight soundtracks on the night, alongside dark pop, emo, indie, and 2000s bangers, as well as playing fan edits from the films on big screens.
Oh, and to make it all the better, dressing up as vampires and werewolves is ‘highly encouraged’.
Fancy it then? The Twilight Rave is coming to the Deaf Institute in Manchester on Saturday 21 November, and tickets will set you back upwards of £7 each.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd November 2020 
