The deadline to register workers for the coronavirus furlough scheme is today – and the Prime Minsiter promised to address holes in the plan ‘forthwith’
Load mobile navigationnull138208710559
Boris Johnson agrees to act on Labour’s furlough ‘cliff-edge’ warning for shielding people
The deadline to register workers for the coronavirus furlough scheme is today – and the Prime Minsiter promised to address holes in the plan ‘forthwith’
(Image: Getty Images)Sign up to FREE email alerts from Mirror – The Coronavirus BriefingSubscribeWhen you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. OurPrivacy Noticeexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Boris Johnson has promised to act “forthwith” to prevent people being forced to shield at home facing a financial ‘cliff edge.’
The deadline to register workers for the government’s furlough scheme is today.null
In Monday’s Daily Mirror, Labour warned the rigid rules mean anybody diagnosed with a condition that puts them at risk after June 10, or anyone who moves in and out of a shielded category, can’t be furloughed.
Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds said current plans will force people into “an impossible choice between their livelihood or their health”.
She called for those shielding to be exempted from today’s deadline, and to be given the right to ask to be furloughed if they can’t work from home.
She also called for employers to be exempted from having to increase their contributions towards the salary cost of furloughed employees who are shielding
A survey of cases by the Citizens Advice Bureau found 25% of the sample were either at risk personally, lived with someone who was at risk, or both.
Of those, 83% were eligible to be furloughed – but of those, 60% had not yet been furloughed.
And of the cases where someone was personally at risk, 16% said they were facing redundancy or having their job conditions changed.
At Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Johnson said he had “been made aware of the issue very recently” and “we will be addressing it forthwith”.
Asked whether he would commit to arranging a “safe hour” for shielding people to walk outside, Mr Johnson said: “We certainly will be doing as much as we can in the near future to ensure shielded people get guidance about how they can come out of their shielded environment safely in a way that is Covid-secure.”
Labour leader Keir Starmer said: “Can I welcome that, that has been something we’ve been concerned about
“We’ll look at the proposal when it’s put on the table
“I’m grateful he’s listened to that and for what he’s said this morning.”
