Stephen Morgan MP has called for the government to recognise the ‘cliff edge’ faced by those most at risk in Portsmouth and across the country who are both on the furlough scheme, which is set to expire at the end of the month, and in areas facing additional local Covid-19 restrictions.
According to HMRC, 3.5m employments have been furloughed under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme in local areas now under local restrictions, or on the amber watch-list.
The Government’s furlough scheme is due to expire at the end of the month. However, the official opposition has highlighted that where there have been bespoke packages of financial support – in Leicester, Liverpool, Hartlepool, Warrington and Middlesbrough – these have come after local restrictions have been put in place.
Leicester was given £3 million, meanwhile Liverpool City Region, Hartlepool, Warrington and Middlesbrough are set to receive £7 million.
Stephen Morgan MP, commented,
“The opposition and I have been calling for months to ditch the one-size-fits-all approach and target the areas and sectors that are most at risk.
“It is common sense if an area is going to be locked down it needs greater support, especially areas where many workers are still enrolled on the furlough scheme, which is set to expire at the end of the month.”
Following the Chancellor’s speech at Conservative Party Conference on Monday, the Shadow Chancellor, Anneliese Dodds MP, said,
“The Chancellor just spoke for ten minutes, but he had nothing new to say. He just blew his chance to get a grip on Britain’s jobs crisis.”
Mr Morgan has consistently called for targeted support from the government for the sectors and people that are most at risk.
