// Chancellor Rishi Susnak warns “there is hardship ahead for many people” & ruled out extending the furlough scheme
// Since the start of this month, the furlough scheme is being tapered off before ending completely in October
// Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called for a targeted extension to prevent a “jobs crisis”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is resisting calls to extend the furlough scheme with targeted measures to stave off widespread job losses, saying the support cannot go on “indefinitely”.
The scheme that has so far cost £33.8 billion supporting the payrolls of 9.6 million workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
Since the start of this month, it is being tapered off before ending completely in October.
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However, opposition parties are calling for the UK Government to extend it for the hardest-hit sectors and those plunged into local lockdown, warning the end to the scheme is a “grave mistake”.
Sunak visited Glasgow today to praise the benefits of the furlough scheme amid rising calls or concerns the pandemic has strengthened demand for Scottish independence.
He warned “there is hardship ahead for many people” as he again ruled out extending the jobs retention scheme.
“It’s one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to make in this job,” he told Sky News.
“I don’t think it’s fair to extend this indefinitely, it’s not fair to the people on it. We shouldn’t pretend there is in every case a job to go back to.”
He declined to extend the measure for sectors unable to return to work, such as the entertainment industry with theatres still shut.
His trip to Scotland was greeted by the SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford warning “thousands of people could lose their jobs unnecessarily”.
“Cutting the furlough scheme prematurely is a grave mistake. By removing this crucial support in the middle of a global pandemic, and withholding the financial powers Scotland needs for a strong recovery, the Tories are increasing the risk of mass redundancies,” he said.
With more than 6500 jobs lost or put at risk just this week, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called for a targeted extension to prevent a “jobs crisis on a scale not seen for generations”.
However, the jobs retention scheme is not the only programme aimed at boosting employment amid grim predictions for the economy.
Sunak set out a “plan for jobs” which includes measures to boost apprenticeships, stimulate eating out and a job retention bonus of £1000 for every furloughed employee retained in January.
with PA Wires
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