Unite union says government risks 'redundancy floodgates' opening if it doesn't extend furlough

A union leader is urging the Prime Minister to take action to prevent “redundancy floodgates” opening as the furlough scheme ends.

Len McCluskey, general secretary of Unite, has written to Boris Johnson, warning that workers face a “miserable” Christmas because of fears of huge job losses when the job retention scheme ends next month.

Unite said Wednesday was a “milestone” because employers are legally obliged to give workers 45 days’ notice of redundancy.

The union fears that without an urgent sign of the Government responding to calls from across business and the political spectrum for longer term support to save jobs, employers facing short-term struggles will issue redundancy notices.

McCluskey urged the Prime Minster to announce a modification of the JRS, along with targeted assistance for sectors such as manufacturing, aviation and hospitality.