Moray SNP News

MSP WELCOMES FURLOUGH U-TURN COMES AFTER SIX MONTHS OF SNP PRESSURE

LONG-OVERDUE MOVE "FAR TOO LATE" FOR  MANY 

Richard Lochhead MSP has welcomed the long-overdue Tory U-turn on furlough support but said it is "far too late" for thousands of workers who have already been made redundant after months of delays and uncertainty.

Commenting, Mr Lochhead said:

“For the last six months the SNP and devolved governments have consistently been calling for furlough to be extended and were repeatedly told ‘no’ by the UK Government, so this long overdue U-turn is welcome.

“The Chancellor has been forced to change tack after months of delays and uncertainty, and for many this will be too late. There will undoubtedly be people in Moray who have lost their jobs due to the Conservative Government’s refusal to extend furlough before now. Local employers had to work on the basis of what they were told which was that furloughing was ending.

“It’s a disgrace that Westminster was only willing to act when the south of England was facing lockdown and that the UK Government has had to be dragged kicking and screaming to extending this support.

“Decisions on restrictions and lockdown should be taken based on scientific advice and it is hugely important for jobs in Moray that Scotland has access to the furlough scheme if and when we need it.”