Chancellor Rishi Sunak will announce later today the Government’s future for the furlough scheme as loud calls from the hospitality industry are made to leave it as is.
Previous indications from the Chancellor include his warning that the furlough scheme, due to end in June, is not sustainable at its current 80% rate.
There are now more than six million people with 80% of their salaries paid by the Government scheme, helping employers to maintain their business teams.
On Sunday, and again on Monday, the Prime Minister urged those who could go back to work to do so.
He also said that a “sudden big flood” of people returning to work was not feasible, suggesting that his guidance was to be interpreted as “baby steps” back to work.
The change in tone from the Government does suggest that the economic impact is hurting public purses. So, some might expect the Chancellor to lower the furlough scheme.
Rishi Sunak cliff edge – The Chancellor only last week promised there would be no cliff edge cut-off. How much emphasis was on cut-off, allowing reductions to be introduced?
For hospitality it has already been a bumpy start to the week, Sunday and Monday’s roadmap announcements surprised many. Let’s all hope for some continuity from Mr Sunak later.
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