MPs welcome extension of furlough scheme until next March

WARRINGTON’S two MPs have welcomed Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement extending the furlough scheme until the end of March.

Warrington South MP Andy Carter (Con) said: “I welcome what the Chancellor has announced today, he’s responded in the right way to a rapidly changing situation.
“The scheme has supported just under 19,000 people across Warrington South and has been a lifeline helping employers keep their staff in work.
“The extended Furlough scheme will operate as previously, with businesses being able to claim either shortly before, during or after running payroll. Claims can be made from 8am Wednesday 11 November.
Claims made for November must be submitted to HMRC by no-later than 14 December 2020.
Mr Carter added: “There is also welcome news for the self-employed as well with the third grant of the Income Support Scheme covering November to January now being calculated at 80% of average trading profits, up to a maximum of £7,500.

Meanwhile Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols (Lab) said: “This is the right decision and I support it. But what I do not support is how this decision was made and the uncertainty it has created in communities like Warrington.
“The Chancellor was saying for months furlough was going to end in October, contrary to all the common sense evidence suggesting against this. As a result, many workers were let go and businesses forced to close. Hindsight is certainly a wonderful thing but this was evident at the time, as the Labour Party, local businesses and workers pointed out at the time.
“One positive is that anyone who was still employed as of 23rd September can be rehired and then furloughed, something I would encourage all local businesses to do.
“People in Warrington will not forget that when we were put into Tier 2 and then Tier 3 restrictions, our workers were being told they only deserved 67% of their wages but now this affects London, it is rightly being increased to 80%.
“All we ask is to be treated fairly and I will always fight for that as your MP.”