Lay pension trustees can continue to carry out their roles whilst on furlough. Rishi Sunak has clarified this in the latest legal direction issues on Friday 22 May.

This is a useful clarification for trustees employed by a sponsoring employer of a pension scheme. Previously, although it seemed within the rules for many to continue their trustee role, there was no certainty. In particular, there was doubt where the individual was a director of a trustee company that forms part of the sponsor's corporate group, due to the restrictions on working for a company "connected" to the employer.

With billions being claimed through the scheme, this has been a live issue for a number of our clients, who will now welcome this confirmation.