MP demands more help for the 32,000 workers in Sheffield still furloughed

Tens of thousands of workers in Sheffield who are still on furlough should be protected from job losses, an MP has said.
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Heeley MP Louise Haigh has called on the Government to introduce a “smart” furlough scheme after new analysis by the Labour Party estimated 31,500 people in the city were still not back at work.

Last summer Chancellor Rishi Sunak launched his Plan for Jobs and furlough – known officially as the Job Retention Scheme – was extended to April.

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But Ms Haigh wants a further extension to remove uncertainty for businesses and workers.

Sheffield Heeley MP Louise HaighSheffield Heeley MP Louise Haigh
Sheffield Heeley MP Louise Haigh

She’s also calling for new training to help furloughed workers improve their skills and for tough conditions on employers to stop abuse.

“The Plan for Jobs has been a disaster,” she said. “Seven months after its launch, we’ve got record redundancies, soaring unemployment and the worst economic crisis of any major economy.

“There are rumours furlough may be extended but the Chancellor needs to make clear if the scheme will remain open while public health restrictions are in place and demand is severely affected.

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“The government needs to introduce a smarter scheme to help people who are still furloughed.

People can’t afford to wait for the Chancellor to get his act together. They need emergency action today, not more dither and delay until the Budget.”

Labour’s figures also show 17,000 people in Sheffield had made claims under the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme by the end of July. Another 23,445 people are claiming out of work benefits.

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