Rishi Sunak extends the furlough scheme until October

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the UK furlough scheme to pay wages of workers on leave because of coronavirus has been extended to October.

He further said the government-backed workers and companies going into the lockdown, and would support them coming out and confirmed that employees will continue to receive 80 per cent of their monthly wages up to £2, 500.

But he said the government will ask companies to “start sharing” the cost of the scheme from August.

“ Nobody who is on the furlough scheme wants to be on this scheme. People up and down this country believe in the dignity of work, going to work, providing for families. It’s not their fault that their business has been asked to close, it is not their fault that they have been asked to stay at home, and that is why I established the scheme to support these people and their livelihoods at this critical time”. Rishi Sunak said amid criticisms from Labour and union concerns about safety.

He rejected suggestions some people might get addicted to furlough if it was extended. Over 7.5 million workers are now covered by the scheme, up from 6.3 million last week, he said.

The chancellor told the Commons that from August, the scheme would continue for all sectors and regions of the country but with greater flexibility to support the transition back to work, he said.

Employers currently using the scheme would be able to bring furloughed employees back part-time. Employers

Announcing the move in response

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