LISTEN: Finance Minister calls for extension of furlough scheme beyond November

by Q Radio News

Stormont's Finance Minister Conor Murphy has called for an extension of the furlough scheme beyond the end of November. 

It comes after the UK government announced the initiative will be extended by one month, having previously been expected to end in October. 

The Job Support Scheme planned to come into force yesterday was postponed due to the extension of furlough. 

It will see employees receive 80% of their current salary for hours not worked being paid by Treasury (up to a cap of £2,500);. 

Minister Murphy has welcomed the temporary reprieve, but says it doesn't go far enough.

(Finance Minister Conor Murphy)

“For months I have pressed for the extension of the Furlough Scheme so that jobs can be protected. 

"I therefore welcome this one month extension and the inclusion of employees on the payroll on or before 30 October as well as employees who haven’t previously been furloughed as this has been a gap to date.

“Many businesses have been faced with tough decisions about redundancies which has not been helped by the lateness of this decision by Treasury.

"It remains unclear whether the Furlough Scheme will be extended beyond the end of November, and I will be pressing for this.

"The weeks and months ahead will continue to be very challenging – businesses and workers need certainty that the support offered by the Furlough Scheme will remain in place.

“The Executive is doing everything in its power to support the economy and Treasury must do the same by providing certainty at the earliest possible opportunity.”