The Government could stump up 10 per cent of workers' wages when they go back to work in a bid to stop employers laying off staff at the end of the furlough scheme. More than a million firms have claimed £25.5billion so far in wage subsidies from Rishi Sunak's Job Retention Scheme on behalf of 9.3m furloughed workers. However, reports suggest the Chancellor is ruling out replacing the furlough scheme with a sectoral equivalent when it is due to end later this year. Torsten Bell, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation think-tank said policy should be focused on those most reliant on the furlough scheme as they would be the main drivers of job losses in the coming months. 'These firms cannot wait until the autumn for further Government action and so they must continue to be supported during these unprecedented times.'

Source: Daily Mail July 04, 2020 07:47 UTC