Ending furlough scheme too early could damage recovery, say trade unions

Government is reducing its contribution to the scheme, with employers having to pay a share

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Ending the furlough scheme too early could damage the recovery and push unemployment higher, trade unions warned as official figures showed the number of workers on the scheme in May fell at a slower rate than expected to 2.4 million employees.

Without an extension of furlough or extra support for the hardest-hit industries, the bounce back on economic activity could be choked off, unions said.