Jobs fears sparks call from MSP

Calls have been made to extend furlough after more companies in Renfrewshire voiced fears of redundancies after the scheme ends next month.

SNP MSP Tom Arthur has said the UK Government must perform an urgent U- turn over its decision to withdraw support amid fears of more job losses.

Bakery chain Greggs, which has 25,000 workers across Scotland and the UK, is the latest company to indicate it may have to cut staff hours or jobs when the scheme ends, warning “with the Job Retention Scheme planned to end in October, we are taking steps to ensure that our employment costs reflect the estimated level of demand from November onwards”.

It comes as a new survey revealed four in ten small and medium businesses think they will have a smaller workforce in December than they did in September, and a quarter think they might go out of business next year if there is a second wave of Covid-19.

Mr Arthur, who represents Renfrewshire South, said: “The devastating impact of the UK Government’s decision to withdraw support for jobs in the middle of a pandemic is starting to hit home, and adds to growing fears of job losses in Renfrewshire South.

“Boris Johnson was repeatedly warned that thousands of people could lose their jobs unnecessarily as a result of Tory cuts - and those warnings are now starting to become reality.

“The Tory government must perform an urgent U- turn, reinstate a full job protection scheme, and devolve financial powers to the Scottish Parliament so we can protect our economy,

“We shouldn’t have to wait for Westminster to act while the livelihoods of people in Renfrewshire South are on the line.

“If the Tories won’t act now to save thousands of Scottish jobs, they will demonstrate beyond doubt that the only way to protect Scotland’s interests is to become an independent country.”