LIBERAL Democrats on Cornwall Council are calling for an extension of the Government’s furlough scheme in the wake of what they describe as staggering job losses in the county.
6.2% of people are now relying on Universal Credit in Cornwall, says the Party, which believes extending furlough would help stop this crisis getting even worse and protect jobs for the future.?
Amongst the worst hit in Cornwall are the self-employed.
Adam Paynter, deputy leader of Cornwall Council, has warned that modelling predicts unemployment could be at 25% in Cornwall by Christmas and that ’families are in crisis’.
“Ministers need to act now to stop this crisis getting even worse,” he said, “and extend financial support for the millions of people currently excluded from the Government assistance.”
“We are seeing staggering job losses, even with the furlough scheme in place. People have a right to expect that their Government will stand by them.”
Cllr Paynter feels the furlough scheme should be extended ’until the jobs market is ready to bounce back’.