Martin Lewis has explained a furlough rule which could help parents having issues with childcare during the third national lockdown.
Schools have been closed until February half term at the earliest to help stop the spread of the highly infectious mutant coronavirus strain.
Only the children of key workers and vulnerable children are now allowed to attend school, meaning many parents have been left with a childcare problem.
But the Money Saving Expert has now revealed that parents can request to be furloughed if their firm is allowing that as an option, reports The Mirror.
"I want to shine some light and warmth on your finances," he told viewers of ITV's Martin Lewis Money Show.
But there were some caveats.
"Furlough is available until the 30th of April. You have to understand though, that furlough is always at the employer's discretion - they do not have to furlough anyone," Martin explained.
"To get furlough you need to have been on the payroll by the 30th October - it applies to zero-hours contract people, agency workers... you can be furloughed.
"And furlough now is flexible."
That means you can work just a few hours a week and be furloughed for the rest of it, or take just a few hours a week off on furlough and work the rest at normal pay.
And that flexibility could be a godsend to parents.
"It's important to understand that if you can't work because of childcare responsibilities, your kids are now at home, then firms can furlough you just because f that," Martin said.
"Ask them, they don't have to, but I hope they would be considerate on that."
If they won't furlough you, that doesn't mean they can force you to work when your children need someone with them.
"If they won't furlough you, you do have a legal right to time off to look after your children," Martin said.
"But you don't have a legal right to be paid for it.
"Which is why furlough is a very good option - and of course flexible furlough works there too."
Martin also had some good news regarding furlough for people classed as at risk.
"Similarly, if you've been told you have to shield - and millions of people are getting their letters that they have to shield and shouldn't leave their homes - firms can furlough you for that reason," he explained.
"But they don't have to."
But, unlike with childcare, you do have some rights to pay if your boss won't sign off on furlough.
"You might be eligible for sick pay, or statutory sick pay, but not everyone will be and there are gaps," Martin said.
