Mhairi Black MP has welcomed the news that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be extended to cover those employed by 19th March – after pressure from MPs, MSPs and campaigners.
Before now those who had been employed after the 28th February could not be furloughed by their new employers. This meant anyone starting a new job in March would be impacted by this decision.
The MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South was among those leading calls for the change and welcomed this move from the UK Government.
Mhairi did warn however that millions of households still faced unemployment or a reduction in income – and renewed calls for the introduction of a guaranteed minimum income for everyone, strengthened welfare protections, and an extension of support for self-employed people.
Mhairi Black MP, said: “I welcome the move from the UK government to extend the Job Retention Scheme to those employed by 19th March. I’ve had many constituents contact me that had been unfortunately impacted by this oversight.
“We are however still seeing an array of mishaps and gaps in the support available for millions of people. People in Renfrewshire are facing unemployment or reduced incomes, the Chancellor must provide a financial support package that leaves nobody behind.
“The SNP has been calling for a guaranteed minimum income for everyone, strengthening welfare protections, and extending support to seasonal workers and the many self-employed people who are not covered by any scheme that has come out of the Treasury.
“I will continue to work constructively with my colleagues across parties and Parliaments to press for the support that people, businesses and public services need to get through this crisis”