Extend UK furlough subsidies to avoid mass job losses, Labour urges

Resolution Foundation claims half of those furloughed in April have not returned to work

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Labour and a leading welfare thinktank have called on the government to extend furlough subsidies for the hardest-hit industries as employers are forced to make financial contributions towards temporarily laid-off workers from this weekend.

The Resolution Foundation said around half of the 9.2 million people placed on the government's job retention scheme (JRS) since it launched in April have still not returned to work. It warned this group faced the prospect of widespread redundancies when the scheme, which covers 80% of workers' wages, closes on 31 October, unless state subsidies are maintained beyond that date.

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