THE SNP’s Westminster leader has written to Boris Johnson warning the Tories are repeating the “same damaging mistakes” made in the autumn over Covid financial support.
Ian Blackford has called for the UK Government to announce an immediate extension to the furlough scheme, which is now due to end on April 30.
He said the short notice given on plans to continue support last year meant many businesses had already laid people off.
Blackford said key measures which could be introduced to prevent a “disastrous cliff edge” and mass redundancies include making a £20 uplift to Universal Credit permanent.
He also called for a financial package for around three million people who have been excluded from other support and a 12-month extension to 100% retail, hospitality and leisure relief.
Blackford said: “The Tory Government is repeating the same damaging mistakes it made in the autumn.
“By delaying crucial decisions over the financial support that millions of people and businesses depend upon, the Tories risk creating another disastrous cliff edge and mass redundancies.
READ MORE: SNP throw their weight behind Yes Challenge as milestone halfway point passed
“It is completely unacceptable that businesses and workers have, yet again, been left in crippling uncertainty with the threat that this vital lifeline could soon be cut off.
“Boris Johnson must stop running down the clock, end the dithering and delays, and deliver a renewed financial package.
“We cannot afford to wait any longer for a decision on funding that ends in April.
“Businesses need certainty they will have the funds to pay people’s wages and stay afloat.
“Families need to know they will have the income they need to pay their rent and bills.
“Devolved governments need a guarantee of funding, so they can act swiftly and decisively to control the virus.”
Latest figures from HMRC show more than 280,000 Scots started 2021 on furlough – a rise of 44% compared to two months previously.
The British Chambers of Commerce has also called for the Treasury to learn lessons from the last year and take action to avoid mass redundancies.
Last week the organisation’s co-executive director, Hannah Essex, said furlough should be in place until a “full opening” of the economy is possible and at least until the end of July.
She said: “The Government must learn lessons from last October, where the delay in extending the scheme at a time of tightening restrictions helped drive redundancies to a record high.”
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 here