THE SNP have called for the furlough scheme to last “as long as necessary” as the Chancellor announced its extension for another month.
Rishi Sunak said yesterday that the scheme, which was due to expire at the end of March, would be extended until the end of April. He also extended Government loan schemes until the end of March.
The SNP’s shadow chancellor, Alison Thewliss, said: “The SNP have long been calling for an extension to the coronavirus furlough scheme well into 2021, so it is welcome the Chancellor has heeded those calls and avoided repeating his mistake of delaying the previous extension to the very last minute. However, the Tory Government must go further or it risks stalling our economic recovery from this pandemic.”
Thewliss added: “The Chancellor must recognise the scale of the challenge ahead of us and the support desperately needed to protect jobs and incomes.
“The furlough and business loan scheme must be extended for as long as necessary – not simply to the end of March and April.
“I urge the Treasury to also heed the SNP’s long-standing calls for a major fiscal stimulus package of at least £98 billion, on a par with other countries, and the devolution of financial powers needed to protect jobs and livelihoods.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel