London Mayor Sadiq Khan has demanded Boris Johnson U-turn on his furlough scheme policy and extend it for at least another year. Speaking on LBC, Mr Khan cited Germany and France as leading models for Boris Johnson to follow. This week, Germany extended its furlough scheme until the end of 2021 despite concerns in Angela Merkel’s party about a bill that may exceed €30billion, while a similar scheme in France could cost up to €31billion.
Mr Khan urged Chancellor Rishi Sunak to extend the furlough scheme, warning that hundreds of companies could soon go bust.
The UK furlough scheme is due to come to an end on 31st October and the Mayor of London said he is worried that companies will not be able to afford to pay those staff.
He said it would be better to give those companies and employees a helping hand now, rather than a huge handout later.
Mr Khan has warned that failure to do so could spark a huge surge in unemployment in the British capital.
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Mr Khan explained: “23 percent of the businesses that we’ve spoken to, particularly in accommodation, food and culture sectors, are moderately or severely worried about becoming insolvent over the short-to-medium term.
“Bear in mind that in London, we have 1.39 million Londoners who are currently furloughed, the problem is this.
“At the moment, employers are having to pay National Insurance and pension contribution.
“From 1st September, they will be required to pay 10 percent of salary. From 1st October, 20 percent of salary. From November, all of it.
He added: “Follow the lead of the French Government and the German Government and give a helping hand now, rather than a handout later.”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has repeatedly insisted that there will be no extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which allows firms to put workers on furlough without making them redundant.
However, countries across Europe have extended their own schemes at a cost of billions amid fear of a widespread economic crisis.
It is feared that the economies in major EU countries will not get back on their feet until the end of 2021.
