Government looking at ‘wage subsidy’ options to replace furlough scheme
The government's job retention scheme is set to end in October, leaving the 9.6 million who have depended on the programme at risk of "mass unemployment."
Rishi Sunak is considering whether to replace the furlough scheme in Britain with a wage subsidies programme, according to The Guardian.
The government’s job retention scheme is set to end in October, leaving the 9.6 million who have depended on the programme at risk of “mass unemployment.”
However, new reports have suggested that the Chancellor is looking to fill the furlough void with a wage subsidy programme instead; whereby the Treasury and companies share the cost of topping up staff wages.
The imminent conclusion of the furlough scheme had set alarm bells ringing even before COVID cases had begun to climb.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned that the UK had reached a “perilous turning point” in the fight against the virus, before laying out a raft of new restrictions and regulations designed to flatten the second curve.
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The hospitality sector, once again, has been hit hard by tightened rules – with bars, cafes, restaurants and pubs now required to shut no later than 10pm (with table service only).
According to the Financial Times, a variety of new support measures for staff could be on the table.
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However, it is believed the Chancellor is favouring a German-style ‘short work’ system.
This would see employers pay staff when they’re on shift, whilst the Treasury would bump up wages during periods of no work.
An announcement on the scheme is expected within a week.
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The governor of the Bank of England has admitted it might be time for a “rethink” as the furlough end date fast approaches.
Currently, the job retention programme wraps up on 31 October.
With a “tough winter” ahead, surely some other support scheme will need to take its place.
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Entire tram line suspended due to overhead line damage at Old Trafford
Daisy Jackson
Metrolink trams along the Altrincham line have been suspended due to damage to an overhead line near Old Trafford.
The damage, caused by a third party, has caused significant disruption for commuters across the Greater Manchester region this afternoon.
No Metrolink tram services are operating between Altrincham and Piccadilly, in either direction.
Large queues are already forming for buses at Piccadilly Gardens as people attempt to get home.
Engineers have arrived on site to try and fix the issue, but ‘significant disruption’ is expected to continue into the evening.
TfGM and Metrolink have also deployed staff to assist people with their journeys at all stops in the city centre as well as at Old Trafford, Trafford Bar, and Cornbrook.
Trams between Bury and Deansgate-Castlefield are unaffected.
Ticket acceptance is in place on the 245, 255, 256, 263, 281 and 285 bus services and on Northern Rail services between Altrincham and the city centre. Simply show the driver your Metrolink ticket or pass when boarding.
You can plan the rest of your journey online using the TfGM journey planner here.
Pubs can extend their opening hours if England make it to the Euro 2024 semi-finals
Emily Sergeant
Pubs are to be permitted to extend their opening hours if England make it through to the semi-finals of EURO 2024 this summer.
With the Premier League, and the English and Scottish football leagues, all drawing to a close over the next couple of weeks, our nations are already looking ahead to what is gearing up to be a massive summer of sport – with both the UEFA EURO 2024, and the 2024 Olympics coming up before August is out.
And now, it’s been revealed by Home Secretary James Cleverly that if either England or Scotland’s mens national football teams make it to the semi-final of European football’s flagship tournament, then pubs will be allowed to stay open for longer.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… because isn’t there always?
The Government has said that venues will be allowed to stay open for an extra two hours on match days if either or both teams reach the last four or the final of the competition, but this only applies to pubs that already have a license to open until 11pm anyway.
The move to extend opening hours comes after a consultation at the end of last year, and is hoped to provide a boost to the hospitality industry – which has notably been hit hard during the ongoing cost of living crisis.
The Home Secretaries in England and Wales, under Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003, can make an order relaxing licensing hours to mark occasions of “exceptional national significance”, but the Scottish and Northern Irish Governments have to set their own rules.
“We have listened to the public through our consultation,” explained Home Secretary James Cleverley, “and we will be extending pub licensing hours should England or Scotland reach the semi-finals or final of Euro 2024.”
The EURO 2024 semi-finals are to be held on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 July / Credit: UEFA
Mr Cleverley said the move will “allow friends, families and communities to come together for longer to watch their nation hopefully bring it home”.
This legislation is set to be laid in Parliament today (Wednesday 8 May) to ensure there is enough time for it to be debated and passed before the tournament begins on Friday 14 June, the Government has confirmed.