End of furlough scheme could affect 17,000 people in Kirklees

In Kirklees that could be as many as 17,000 workers.

A million jobs are at risk across the country.

Now Chancellor Rishi Sunak has been urged to safeguard people’s livelihoods by getting a grip of the crisis and avoiding an unemployment catastrophe.

Labour Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds says an estimated 109,000 people living in areas with additional Covid-19 restrictions in Yorkshire face a “jobs cliff edge” in a few weeks’ time.

Responding to Mr Sunak’s ten-minute speech at the Conservative Party conference, Ms Dodds said he had nothing to say to people whose jobs were at risk.

She added: “Britain risks the worst unemployment crisis in decades and Rishi Sunak’s name will be all over it.”

Ms Dodds said areas operating under localised restrictions imposed by the Government would face uncertain times as the furlough scheme expires at the end of October.

Labour has accused the Chancellor of failing to support businesses and communities most at risk from a second wave.

The estimated numbers of workers on furlough in mid-September in areas of intervention in Yorkshire:

Leeds: 31,000

Bradford: 19,000

Kirklees: 17,000

Calderdale: 8,000

The estimated numbers of workers on furlough in mid-September in areas of enhanced support or concern in Yorkshire

Wakefield: 14,000

Rotherham: 10,000

Scarborough: 5,000

Selby: 4,000

Despite a rise in infections and huge areas of the country being placed under further restrictions, Labour said Mr Sunak, who is the MP for Richmond in North Yorkshire, had failed to deliver an economic package to protect businesses and jobs most at risk from a second wave.

Ms Dodds added: “The Government’s failure to get a functioning track, trace and isolate system working means large swathes of the country, including in the North West, are now under additional restrictions and face a jobs cliff edge.

“Labour urged the Chancellor to introduce a wage support scheme that incentivised employers to keep more staff on.

“However, he ignored these calls and now nearly a million jobs are at risk when the furlough scheme ends in a few weeks’ time.

“Rishi Sunak must get a grip of the jobs crisis before it’s too late.”