MP Mhairi: Job scheme extension is reassuring
Politician says changing furlough conditions was crucial
A Pa i s l ey MP is welcoming news that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be extended to cover more workers in Renfrewshire.
Mhairi Black said worried constituents have been contacting her about missing out on the furlough payments.
The scheme has now been extended to cover those employed by March 19 - after pressure from MPs, MSPs and campaigners.
Before now those who had been employed after February 28 could not be furloughed by their new employers.
This meant anyone starting a new job in March would have been affected by this decision.
Mhairi, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South was among those leading calls for the change and welcomed this move from the UK Government.
Mhairi said: “I welcome the move from the UK government to extend the Job Retention Scheme to those employed by March 19.
“I’ve had many constituents contact me that had been unfortunately impacted by this oversight.
“We are however still seeing an array of mishaps and gaps in the support available for millions of people.
“People in Renfrewshire are facing unemployment or reduced incomes, the Chancellor must provide a financial support package that leaves nobody behind.
“The SNP has been calling for a guaranteed minimum income for everyone, s t rengthening welfare protections, and extending support to seasonal workers and the many self-employed people who are not covered by any scheme that has come out of the Treasury.
“I will continue to work constructively with my colleagues across parties and Parliaments to press for the support that people, businesses and public services need to get through this crisis”
She warned, however, that many families still faced unemployment or a reduction in income - and renewed calls for the introduction of a guaranteed minimum income for everyone, better welfare protections, and an extension of support for self-employed people.
More than 200,000 additional workers across the UK will now be eligible to receive support through the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme after the eligibility date was extended.
Employers can now claim for furloughed employees who were employed and on their PAYE payroll on or before March 19 - the day before the scheme was announced.
Workers originally had to be employed on February 28 to qualify for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
Under the scheme, employers can claim a grant covering 80 per cent of the wages for a furloughed employee, up to £ 2,500 a month.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the first cash will be made available to employers to cover the wages of staff on furlough from Monday.