Modular construction firm Darwin Group has refunded more than £130,000 in furlough payments to HMRC.
The Shropshire-based firm made the decision to furlough some of its construction team at the start of the UK’s lockdown to remain in line with the government’s home working directives, as a percentage of its employees could not carry out their work.
Use of the Chancellor’s job retention scheme meant that eight construction workers could be retained throughout the pandemic. They have all since returned to work at the company’s Shawbury headquarters near Shrewsbury.
Darwin Group was recently appointed to deliver a temporary covid-19 facility at University Hospital of Wales, following the Welsh government’s agreement with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to decommission the use of the Principality Stadium as a field hospital.
Charles Pierce, managing director at Darwin Group, said: “We were very grateful for the Government’s assistance in allowing us to furlough and retain our highly skilled construction team, but realise that it is our responsibility to give back following recent new business wins.
“Our board were unanimous on this decision and we are keen to support the government and economic position of the country.”
