THE OWNERS of a Yate hotel have responded to claims on social media about unpaid furlough money.

Managers of the White Lion in Station Road, Yate posted a statement on their Facebook page on Tuesday responding to claims that staff have not received any payments since March 27 - despite all signing letters agreeing to be furloughed from March 20.

Inn Close Management, which took over the business in February, said it applied for furlough money during the fourth week of April but is still waiting to hear back from HM Revenue and Customs.

The statement said: "Over the past 24 hours we have read many negative comments about the alleged mistreatment of employees

who were put on furlough and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

"We feel now is the correct time to put the record straight.

"We offered continued employment to staff on the same terms as the previous employer, which meant they would receive their first pay at the end of March .

"On March 20, when all hospitality businesses were made to close, the Government announced the furlough and Job Retention Scheme, and it seemed like a lifeline.

"All employees were given a furlough letter which explained that a submission would be made to HMRC once the scheme was open, at that time it was proposed to be the end of April.

"There were some job opportunities at the White Lion however the existing staff preferred the furlough option.

"In the fourth week of April a submission was made on the Job Retention online portal but could not be completed.

"After several phone calls over several days and hours, HMRC finally said that as Real Time Information submissions had to be made on or before March 19, employees were not entitled to job retention.

"This was challenged as the employees were not new starters, they had come across from the previous employer.

"All employees were informed via their manager who was informed that we had been put into a process and there were three tiers.

"We were currently with tier two awaiting tier three. Potentially we may have to go to appeal.

"We are still awaiting a decision from HMRC.

"We spoke with the employees' GMB union representative on Wednesday, May 27 and would have expected them to confirm with their members that there had never been any lack of communication.

"We have also communicated our concerns over the length of time HMRC are taking with our MP, trade bodies and publications.

"While I can understand some of your frustrations and concerns for friends or family these are the facts.

"Sabotaging our Facebook page and threats to boycott the White Lion will not help the future for your friends, customers and the employees.

"We are all living through unprecedented and we all have to work together for a brighter future."

Employee Chloe Adams said: "We were paid our wages on March 27 which included pay up until March 20 when pubs had to shut.

“Since then we have received no money.

“We have all signed furlough contracts. We have tried contacting HMRC, Acas, Citizens Advice and MP Luke Hall, but nobody will speak to employees they will only speak to the employer.

"Also, according to HMRC, I was not employed again after the previous owner left and gave me my P45, so that is concerning."