Ditching furlough scheme will add to UK’s economic woes, warn unions and firms

Rishi Sunak criticised for cutting off wage-subsidy lifeline that still supports over a million jobs

Rishi Sunak's decision to wind up the furlough scheme today will intensify Britain's economic woes, an array of unions, business groups, employment experts, City firms and politicians have warned.

With signs of activity slowing even before pressures on supply chains began to mount over the past few weeks, the chancellor was criticised for cutting off a wage-subsidy lifeline that is still supporting well over a million jobs.