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Boris Facing Calls to Extend Furlough Scheme.

Chancellor Sunak: Missing in Parliament.

By Nicholas BishopPublished 4 years ago 3 min read
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Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak are facing a challenge from the Labour party to extend the furlough scheme. The furlough scheme paying 80% of workers wages, is due to finish, at the end of September.

The scheme was introduced to protect workers jobs during the lockdown, the government also introduced measures to protect small businesses and the self-employed.

As the scheme has gone on, the percentage of paying workers on furlough is reducing. The government at the time was applauded for introducing the furlough scheme which has saved many peoples jobs. The government now is coming under pressure to extend the scheme, but Rishi Sunak has resisted such calls.

Labour this afternoon, led a call to extend the furlough scheme. Extending the furlough scheme in certain areas of industry. Shadow Chancellor, Anneliese Dodds has asked Mr Sunak to think again about his 'one size fits all' job retention scheme. Trade unions, businesses, etc, have also asked the Chancellor to think again.

It is feared that when the furlough scheme ends it will leave many people having to turn to Universal Credit. Businesses are being expected to pick up the tab, for paying workers once the furlough scheme is over. Many smaller businesses will not be able to pay their workers either because they cannot afford it or they do not want to. For those with mortgages, loans, rents, bills, etc, Universal Credit, may not be enough to pay those.

The government is coming under pressure to lengthen the scheme because other European countries have done so. Namely, Germany, France and Ireland, with many asking if those countries have done it, why cannot we?

When Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds was fielding questions about retaining the furlough scheme her counterpart, Rishi Sunak, was nowhere to be seen. Ms Dodds highlighted this as her questions were being answered by Mr Sunak's deputy (as it were), Chief Secretary to The Treasury, Stephen Barclay.

Mr Barclay speaking for the government said: "What exactly would Labour do in targeting specific industries to save jobs with the extended furlough scheme"? Perhaps it is one thing to suggest extending the scheme but where would you target to save jobs? The government seems to be saying they want people out of suspended animation and back to work. Ending the furlough scheme is part of their plan, so it would appear. The government highlights increasing the amount of Universal Credit to help the unemployed. They speak about the 'Kick Start' scheme which will apparently help younger people.

Many fear with the ending of the furlough scheme there will be inevitable redundancies. With levels of unemployment not seen since the 1980s under Margret Thatcher.

Mr Sunak has been called the people's, Chancellor, because of the generous furlough scheme, loans for small businesses, etc. But, that sheen could get tarnished as the scheme comes to an end and unemployment soars. Mr Sunak has long been touted as a successor to Boris Johnson. It may be that Mr Sunak will have the chance to be Prime Minister or Leader of The Opposition, should Labour win the next general election. But, politics is a funny game and who can say what is going to happen.

Lately, the government have been taking a hit. Over their handling of the COVID crisis, the students/pupils exam fiasco, Dominic Cummings breaking the terms of the COVID rules, etc. Sir Keir Starmer of Labour is the preferred person to be Prime Minister over Boris. Labour according to 'YouGov' are neck and neck with the Conservative party. 2020 will no doubt be a year, the government will want to forget.

Brexit, COVID, etc are something this government are wrestling with. Can the government get itself out of the hole it is digging for itself? We have had three incompetent Conservative Prime Ministers. Cameron and May were not up to the job or things came in the way so they could not do their jobs. Now we have the buffoonery and blustering of Boris. What this government does now and between the 2024 general election will determine their future and the nations.

politics
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About the Creator

Nicholas Bishop

I am a freelance writer currently writing for Blasting News and HubPages. I mainly write about politics. But have and will cover all subjects when the need arises.

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