The “vast majority” of supply teachers are eligible to receive 80 per cent of their salaries during the coronavirus school shutdown period, Tes understands.

It was previously uncertain as to whether supply teachers could still get paid. However, new guidance issued by the government overnight makes it clear that agency workers paid through the PAYE taxation arrangement can benefit from the The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

The “vast majority” of supply teachers are currently paid through the PAYE system by supply teacher agencies, said Tom Hadley, campaigns director at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, the national body representing supply teaching agencies.

Coronavirus: Supply teachers facing poverty

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Comment: Protect teachers with weeks off - not days

He said agencies would apply for money before passing it on to teachers themselves.

He added: “The guidance confirms recruitment agencies can apply for agency workers paid through PAYE. This was our understanding based on the chancellor’s initial announcement, but good to see this specifically reference in the guidance. It now makes it explicitly clear.”

“The scheme will enable agencies to keep a strong workforce on their books for when schools re-open, and will make sure supply teachers don’t fall through the cracks.

“The amount will be based on average ‘past earnings’ over a specific period.”

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is open to all UK employers for at least three months starting from 1 March 2020. It will be up and running by the end of April.

Employees must have been on PAYE payroll on 28 February 2020, and can be on any type of contract, including full-time, part-time employees, zero-hour and agency contracts.

The government is expected to issue more guidance on how employers should calculate their claims for Employer National Insurance Contributions and minimum automatic enrolment employer pension contributions before the scheme becomes live.