CIPD | Gov urged to extend furlough ahead of Budget

The CIPD is urging the UK Government to extend the furlough scheme ahead of its plan to announce the Budget.

With six weeks to go until Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Budget, the professional HR body is urging the Government to extend support for workers to protect jobs and incomes.

The latest report titled The Future of Furlough - Recommendations for now and for any future wage subsidy, has highlighted deep concerns felt by employers, and the need for urgent action to save jobs.

Key takeaways from the report included a request to formally extend the furlough scheme to the end of June 2021 and announce that decision well in advance, and certainly ahead of the March Budget, to give businesses a long-term overview of support so they can plan effectively and not risk jobs unnecessarily.