Furlough questions are raised
Shotts’ MP Neil Gray has questioned the Prime Minister on failings that constituents had encountered with the employee furlough scheme.
The SNP Shadow Secretary for Work and Pensions, had been contacted by a number of constituents who raised issues around the scheme they have encountered, including employers refusing to furlough them, being unable to claim Universal Credit and losing job offers due to the virus after handing in their notice.
While many issues were caused by the employers not fully understanding the complexities of the scheme, some were just not willing to change their decisions, leaving employees both current and past in a financial nightmare that they did not cause.
Mr Gray quoted the case of 17-year-old Ben, who was not furloughed by his employer and is too young to claim Universal Credit.
Boris Johnson asked that the Airdrie and Shotts MP forward on the details of Ben’s case to enable him to look into it further.
After his virtual question, the Shotts MP said: “Unfortunately, cases like
Ben’s are all too common just now. He is just one of many constituents for whom coronavirus has become the stuff of nightmares.
“Foodbank use in Airdrie and Shotts has risen by 47 per cent since the start of lockdown and I cannot see things getting better any time soon. This cannot be allowed to continue the UK Government must do something to help people like Ben across the whole of the UK.
“I cannot thank those fantastic volunteers who run foodbanks enough. Without them so many of my constituents and their families would be struggling to get enough food to see them through the week.
“I have written to the Prime Minister as he requested highlighting, not just Ben’s case but the many other issues that have been raised with my team and I over the last seven or so weeks. Hopefully some form of assistance will be forthcoming soon.”