During Prime Minister’s Questions today (Sept 2), leader of the opposition, Keir Starmer called for the Prime Minister to extend the furlough scheme.
The chancellor extended the furlough scheme in May to end at the end of October, with the Government paying 80% of an employees wages up to £2,500.
Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) in the House of Commons, Ian Blackford, reinforced Starmer’s request and referenced Germany, France and Ireland as countries who have extended their furlough schemes into 2021 and beyond.
The Prime Minister responded by saying the Government is getting people back to work instead of keeping workers on the furlough scheme.
Johnson said:
“We are getting people back to work. What he (Starmer) wants to do, is extend the furlough scheme, on which, this country has already spent £40bn. What we would rather do is get people into work through our Kickstart Scheme, which we are launching today.”
The government announced today that it is investing £2bn into their Kickstart Scheme that funds employers to pay 16-24-year-olds for up to 25 hours per week.
The Prime Minister added:
“He wants to keep people out of work, in suspended animation. We want to move this country forward – that is the difference between him and us.”
PMQs today was dominated by accusations of U-turns at every point throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
These accusations come just hours after the government went back on local lockdowns across Trafford and Bolton.
PA Image credit: House of Commons/PA Wire/PA Images
