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Labour urges more support to stem post-Covid job losses | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
More targeted economic support is required to prevent job losses in the wake of Covid-19, the shadow chancellor has said. | |
In a speech, Labour's Anneliese Dodds demanded that job retention schemes be extended in parts of the UK hit by local lockdowns. | |
She called on ministers to end a "one-size-fits-all approach" on help to shore up jobs. | |
The chancellor is due to outline an economic support package next week. | The chancellor is due to outline an economic support package next week. |
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised to bring forward infrastructure investment to create "thousands of high-paid high-skilled jobs". | Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised to bring forward infrastructure investment to create "thousands of high-paid high-skilled jobs". |
The government's furlough scheme is paying 80% of the wages of more than nine million workers but is due to be pared back from August, and will finish at the end of October. | |
Ms Dodds' speech came after UK companies announced thousands of job cuts this week, with many firms cutting jobs now to reduce costs. | |
From 1 August, employers will have to pay National Insurance and pension contributions for their staff. | From 1 August, employers will have to pay National Insurance and pension contributions for their staff. |
They will then have to pay 10% of furloughed employees' salaries from September - rising to 20% in October. | They will then have to pay 10% of furloughed employees' salaries from September - rising to 20% in October. |
In her speech, Ms Dodds blamed the latest round of job losses on the government "refusing to shift from its one-size-fits-all approach". | |
'Act now' | 'Act now' |
She added that workers in struggling sectors "cannot and should not be treated the same way" as those in sectors "already back to full capacity". | |
"To avoid the same flood of redundancy notices for workers within smaller companies later on this month, government must act now". | "To avoid the same flood of redundancy notices for workers within smaller companies later on this month, government must act now". |
She called on the chancellor to ensure projects announced as part of his recovery package are carbon neutral or help reduce emissions. | |
Ms Dodds also said jobs schemes should be extended in areas in localised lockdown, so that spikes in the virus in there "don't wash away businesses and jobs in their wake". | |
In an economic statement on Wednesday next week, Chancellor Rishi Sunak is due to set out "the next stage in our plan to secure the recovery". | In an economic statement on Wednesday next week, Chancellor Rishi Sunak is due to set out "the next stage in our plan to secure the recovery". |
In a speech earlier this week, Boris Johnson promised a £5bn "new deal" to build homes and infrastructure to help aid a post-Covid economic recovery. | In a speech earlier this week, Boris Johnson promised a £5bn "new deal" to build homes and infrastructure to help aid a post-Covid economic recovery. |
He also outlined plans for an "opportunity guarantee" to ensure every young person had the chance of an apprenticeship or placement. | He also outlined plans for an "opportunity guarantee" to ensure every young person had the chance of an apprenticeship or placement. |
Responding to Ms Dodds' comments, Conservative Party co-chairman Amanda Milling said the government had a "clear plan to protect and create jobs". | |
"Every Labour government has left unemployment higher than when it entered. Sir Keir Starmer would be no different," she added. | "Every Labour government has left unemployment higher than when it entered. Sir Keir Starmer would be no different," she added. |
Hospitality sector reopening | Hospitality sector reopening |
Mr Johnson has insisted the furlough scheme must come to an end in October - saying it would not be "healthy" to extend it further. | Mr Johnson has insisted the furlough scheme must come to an end in October - saying it would not be "healthy" to extend it further. |
The hospitality sector, including pubs and restaurants, is reopening in Northern Ireland on Friday, with England following on Saturday. | The hospitality sector, including pubs and restaurants, is reopening in Northern Ireland on Friday, with England following on Saturday. |
In Scotland, beer gardens and outdoor restaurants will be allowed to reopen from 6 July. Indoor areas are due to follow from 15 July. | In Scotland, beer gardens and outdoor restaurants will be allowed to reopen from 6 July. Indoor areas are due to follow from 15 July. |
Pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants in Wales are due to be able to reopen outdoors from 13 July. | Pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants in Wales are due to be able to reopen outdoors from 13 July. |