Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has this afternoon announced the extension of the furlough scheme through to the end of April 2021.
The extension of the scheme will see the UK government continuing to contribute 80% towards wages throughout all Devolved Administrations in a move The Treasury said will “give businesses and employees across the UK certainty into the New Year”.
Mr Sunak also announced that government-backed loan schemes designed to support stricken firms through the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic – Bounce Back Loan Scheme, Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, and the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme – would also continue until the end of March.
The schemes are believed to have already provided over £68 billion in guaranteed loans, and have “helped to keep afloat business in all sectors of the UK economy” who have been impacted by the pandemic.
The extensions continue to form part of the government’s #PlanForJobs
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The plan includes the Kickstart Scheme, more investment in training and skills, as well as the Self Employment Income Support Scheme grant, with a fourth grant being made available from February to April 2021.
We are extending furlough until the end of April 2021.
We will continue to pay 80% towards wages of unworked hours – giving businesses and employees across the UK certainty into the New Year.
Announcing the scheme extensions, Mr Sunak said: “Our package of support for businesses and workers continues to be one of the most generous and effective in the world – helping our economy to recover and protecting livelihoods across the country.
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“We know the premium businesses place on certainty, so it is right that we enable them to plan ahead regardless of the path the virus takes, which is why we’re providing certainty and clarity by extending this support.”
The Treasury confirmed its decision to announce the extension of the schemes now – ahead of Christmas and further into the New Year – to “ensure that businesses can continue to access the support they need to grow and recover”.
The announcement comes as the Chancellor also revealed that the UK’s next budget would take place on 3rd March, with latest economic forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility to be published alongside it.
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More information on scheme extensions can be found via the gov.uk website here.
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For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
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Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics is returning to Manchester later this year
Thomas Melia
DJ and radio presenter Pete Tong MBE is making his way back to Manchester with a whole host of guests ready to help you dance the night away.
Known for his live radio shows such as the ‘Essential Mix’ on BBC Radio 1, Tong is bringing back his widely successful Ibiza Classics club night to Manchester with an equally impressive roster of guests.
The ‘Ibiza Classics’ concept originated and debuted back in 2015 with Tong and co. taking on Royal Albert Hall as part of BBC Radio 1’s Proms schedule, paying homage to the island’s infectious anthems.
Since then, the English DJ has built a music event bigger than he could have ever imagined, and this year it’s celebrating a milestone 10-year anniversary tour heading out across the country.
Pete Tong, Jules Buckley and The Essential Orchestra are bringing Ibiza Classics to AO Arena in Manchester.
Some of Tong’s notable releases include ‘Where’s The Music Gone’ and ‘Apocolypse’, alongside some very respectable dance music artists. He delighted the crowd with this event back in 2023 when he brought Ibiza to Aintree Racecourse.
Other tracks to his name include ‘You Got The Love’ and ‘Time’, both collaborations with Jules Buckley, one of the famous faces you’ll get to see on this special Ibiza Classics tour.
Alongside being a frequent feature on Tong’s hits, Buckley is a well-renowned composer who has worked with the likes of Florence and The Machine, Dizzee Rascal, Arctic Monkeys and more.
Pete Tong and Jules Buckley won’t be fronting AO Arena alone either, as they’re also bringing along another familiar group who are often credited alongside the duo, The Essential Orchestra.
This night is expected to be filled with pure dance hits, and based on recent shows, there might even be appearances from even more musical talents and special guests.
He even invited American-English vocalist Vula, known for hits like ‘Turn Me On (Dr. Love)’, onto the stage, who performed a rendition of Tong’s classic track ‘Good Life’.
Pete Tong, Jules Buckley and The Essential Orchestra are bringing Ibiza Classics to AO Arena on Saturday 6 December with tickets already on sale HERE.
Featured Images – Ash Youd/Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)/BBC/radio1interactive (via Flickr)
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One in five northerners reverts back to smoking following the disposable vape ban
Emily Sergeant
A shocking new study has claimed that one in five vapers in the North West have reverted back to smoking following the disposable vape ban.
With the ban on single-use disposable vapes now in full force across the UK after taking effect from 1 June, one in five (16%) North West residents who used to vape have hinted that they’ll now go back to smoking cigarettes, according to some eye-opening new research by the life insurance experts at Confused.com.
While the study did reassuringly find that that more than a third (34%) of survey respondents planned to quit vaping after the ban, this doesn’t tell the full story.
Worryingly, more people than not say they plan to keep vaping, with 21% claiming the ban on disposables will actually encourage them to switch to refillable vapes instead, rather than give up all together.
One in five northerners plans to revert back to smoking following the disposable vape ban / Credit: Pxhere
According to Confused.com’s latest data, there has been a 44% increase in the number of people declaring they smoke or vape on their life insurance policy since 2019, but if these survey results are anything to go by, we can expect these figures to be higher in the years to come.
Almost a third of North West vapers (27%) said they started between the ages of 18-25.
Around one in 10 (4%) said they were under 18 when they started vaping, and then at the other end o the spectrum, a third (33%) apparently started at 41 or older.
The single-use vape ban came into force across the UK on 1 June 2025 / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Despite the more concerning findings, Confused.com is choosing to look on the more positive side of things, with Tom Vaughan, who is one of the life insurance experts at Confused.com, commenting: “It’s refreshing to see that many people who vape are using the ban as a springboard to try to quit for good, particularly with the financial and health implications of maintaining the habit.
“We’ve had a significant increase in smokers’ policies for life insurance, which are extremely important for family security and future prospects.
“So when applying for life insurance, it’s important that smokers or vapers declare their habit, as it could impact policies due to the long-term health impact.”
The Manc -
17th December 2020 
