Home   News   Article

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announces furlough scheme to be extended until March 2021


By Ali Morrison

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!
Rishi Sunak.
Rishi Sunak.

The furlough scheme to help firms affected by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic will be extended until the end of March.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed the measure when he spoke in the House of Commons.

The scheme will pay up to 80 per cent of a person's wage up to £2500 a month.

Mr Sunak said the government would review the policy in January.

The furlough scheme was due to end on October 31 but was extended to cover the new four-week lockdown in England, sparking a row with Scotland and Wales which argued it was unfair for the full support package to be available only when England was in lockdown.

The announcement has been welcomed by the Scottish Trades Union Congress although it said further changes and support would be needed.

The union's general secretary Roz Foyer said: "The Chancellor finally seems to have listened on furlough and appears to have finally clarified the situation with respect to Scotland.

"This is his fourth new plan in six weeks and the uncertainty caused by his dithering has had a terrible impact on many people’s jobs and livelihoods.

"It is essential that all are made aware that workers not having been previously furloughed and those working less than their normal hours will be eligible for the scheme.

"Unions will be supporting workers across Scotland to ensure they get the support they deserve and need.

"But unless we see further change and further support, the end of March 2021 will mark a year of particularly misery for those the scheme still does not cover.

"The number of those receiving less than the minimum wage has multiplied five-fold so far this year.

"We repeat our call that the furlough scheme must again be amended to ensure no-one falls below this rate."


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More