Extend UK furlough or risk job cuts and loss of key skills, warn manufacturers

Long-term competitiveness at risk if scheme ends for critical industrial sectors, says Make UK

The government's furlough scheme must be extended for critical sectors of British industry or the country risks losing key skills as it recovers from the pandemic, according to the UK's foremost manufacturing group.

Make UK is joining calls for the government to change its mind about ending the coronavirus job retention scheme in the autumn, after a survey of its members showed almost two-thirds (62%) of companies agreed with the proposal that the scheme be extended.