Sunak urged to stump up £15bn to protect 1m from unemployment

Chancellor must use autumn budget to create new roles for workers after furlough scheme ends, says thinktank

Rishi Sunak has been urged to pump more than 15bn into job creation schemes at the autumn budget to protect 1 million people from unemployment after the furlough scheme comes to an end.

Warning that the jobs recovery from the coronavirus pandemic could be weaker than in any of the past three big recessions, the Learning and Work Institute said a dramatic shift in public investment was needed to stimulate employment and avoid lasting damage for unemployed workers.