Wishaw MSP calls on UK Chancellor to extend furlough scheme into next year

Clare Adamson believes that either the UK Government should step up to protect jobs or hand the necessary powers to the Scottish Government to extend the scheme.

Wishaw MSP Clare Adamson has called on the UK Government to extend the furlough scheme into next year.

The Motherwell and Wishaw MSP is critical of the Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s plans to end the Job Retention Scheme entirely on October 31 and highlighted Germany’s decision to extend its job support scheme until the end of 2021.

Ms Adamson believes that either the UK Government should step up to protect jobs or hand the necessary powers to the Scottish Government to extend the scheme.

With chains such as Boots, who employ hundreds of staff across Motherwell and Wishaw, announcing widescale job loses – the SNP MSP has said a premature end to the furlough scheme in the middle of a global pandemic would ‘devastate” the local economy.

The SNP MSP said: “I am deeply troubled by reports of stores identified for potential closure in my constituency.

“The likes of Boots in Brandon Parade, as one of the remaining big brand names, acts as a draw for shoppers to Motherwell town centre.

“I have already written to Boots to outline these concerns but, amidst such uncertainty, it is a uniquely challenging climate for employers and employees.

“That is why the UK Government must intervene to provide certainty for workers; follow the example in Germany and extend the furlough scheme into next year.

“People in my constituency and across Scotland are fearful for their livelihoods. To end the furlough scheme in October will jeopardise thousands of jobs

“The path the UK Government is on will devastate local economies across Scotland. We have seen the relief that the extension brought to workers in Germany.

“The Tories must match that ambition or give Holyrood the powers so the Scottish Government can take the necessary action to save jobs.”

Around 30 per cent of Wishaw workers were on furlough during the month of June.

Approximately 12,600 of employees within the Motherwell and Wishaw UK parliamentary constituency had their wages covered by the taxpayer.

Meanwhile, a total of 2,300 of claims were also made in the UK parliamentary constituency of Motherwell and Wishaw to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) with claims totalling £6.4 million.

In the neighbouring Airdrie and Shotts constituency, 31 per cent of workers had been furloughed.