Furlough extension welcome but government must plug the gaps

Prospect has welcomed the announcement that the government’s Job Retention Scheme (furlough scheme) is being extended to the end of October and that there will be no reduction in the level of support offered under the scheme.

However the union has warned that this extension makes it even more essential that workers who are not covered by the government support schemes such as some freelancers, those who have changed jobs, and directors of limited companies, are covered.

Prospect general secretary Mike Clancy said:

“We welcome the Chancellor’s announcement today that the Job Retention Scheme will be extended to the end of October with no reduction of support for workers, and that additional flexibility will be introduced to manage the transition back to work.

“However now that the government have conceded that many workers will need to remain furloughed for many more months, it is even more urgent that those who are excluded from government support due to arbitrary cut-offs are now brought into the scheme and do not face the prospect of six months with no income.

“The Treasury must urgently re-engage with Prospect and other organisations to fix the holes in the scheme and ensure all workers get the support they need.”