Furlough extended to end June

[bathsh3ba]

This is depressing. I guess that means they don't intend to relax lockdown in any way before then - but won't we then just get a second wave in time for flu season?

[LooQoo]

I wonder if there may be some restrictions, yet to be announced.

Far more companies than expected have taken the furlough option so its far more expensive then originally planned for. How the hell will this be paid for. I can’t see that people who were expected to work full time through this while others were off on 80% of pay will be happy to see their taxes rise to pay for it.

[Mirrorxx]

@LooQoo
I agree. It’s already frustrating that my neighbours who are furloughed sit outside all day making so much noise it’s hard to work. Knowing we will have to pay for it too is not helping motivate me to work the longer hours required at the moment

[TJH130]

Dont forget there needs to be a phased return. Most businesses wont want all employees back from day 1 etc. Suppliers need to open first and so on.

Furlough will need to go on for many weeks after movement restrictions end

[PatriciaHolm]

Of course it doesn't mean no relaxing of lockdown until then - if anything I would think it means trying to get some business back before then, as many businesses will need some warning to phase back in and revenues won't be flowing at a rate pre-lockdown for months to come in reality. Furlough can't end the moment lockdown starts to ease, as easing will take time.

[EachDubh]

It seems sensible, gives plenty of time to relax restrictions and stops employers laying everyone off as soon as they open either because there isn't enough business at the start or because there is high unemployment meaning a potentially large group of cheaper employees.

[TJH130]

Its also to push the end of Furlough beyond the statutory redundancy period, which would be the key date next week

[LooQoo]

I agree. There is definitely an imbalance and the people I know who are still working full time don’t see why they should end up paying higher taxes / having their pension age raised to pay for it.

In reality, a lot of companies who were not far from the wall have taken the furlough option to try and hang in. That isn’t what it was meant for, it was meant to protect workers in travel, hospitality, non essential retail who had to shut. I know solicitors, recruitment agents, accountants who have all been furloughed.

[KeepWashingThoseHands]

In principle furlough is good but I know of several instances where it's being 'abused' (by businesses) ie. not just covering where staff can't reasonably do their role.

In situations where 'can't do your role' is more nuanced (like some roles in offices), the reality is people still working may have had their workload increased whilst simultaneously taking a pay cut. The perception at least is that furlough seems like a holiday option, particularly where companies are topping up. Presumably people are still accruing holiday etc. during this time as well.

Now I'm not saying that's not happening in all cases and as I say, principally a good idea but the cost of it is astronomical and I think people will tire of it soon.

[Figgygal]

Thinking positively it’s going to help transition people back to work rather than everyone back in on 1st June
Thinking negatively it’s just deferring the cliff edge companies are going to face when this ends

[Ellmau]

Yes, depressing on the face of it, but it may also be taking into account that even when it's safe for us all to return to work, some businesses will be slow to recover and may need the extra support for a bit longer.

I hope.

[Bluntness100]

Of course it doesn’t mean no end to lock down. Companies do not exist simply to pay their employees like some form of charitable entity. They exist to make a profit. Companies who continue to furlough through June will either be ones who have to stay shut down as the government makes them, Ie social venues, airlines, or those in a really bad financial situation.

anyone who is being furloughed till June in an industry that could re open should be deeply concerned.

[DreamChaser23]

Just makes you wonder how long we will be in lockdown till. Let's be honest if we are still in lockdown in August it won't be surprising. Unless a vaccine comes full normality won't happen. That could mean furloughing pay for at least another 12 months. I don't know how long the government will continue with this scheme? I can't see them extending it beyond 6 months in total as they would argue it's too costly

[ineedaholidaynow]

If they hadn’t extended furlough, many people currently on furlough would need to have been notified of consultation period of 45 days for potential redundancy, to coincide with original end date of furlough.

[KaptenKrusty]

I work in childcare so obviously can’t do my job now as the place is closed! Loved it the first few weeks - but we how week I’m feeling so down about it - husband is working and I’m sitting watching television with headphones all day today to not disturb him - not good for my mental health at all! The thoughts of this going on til June is so depressing! Very grateful for the scheme though as at least I don’t have to worry about money - we’d be absolutely fecked otherwise!

I’d imagine il be one of the last to go back to work at this stage - but think they will phase it - offices will be back sooner and no longer need furlough - then gradually other places will open I guess?

Who knows

[LooQoo]

@KaptenKrusty

Surely nurseries and primary schools will need to open as offices go back? Most families I know have two parents working so they will need nurseries and schools to provide childcare.

[bathsh3ba]

I'm not furloughed, still working from home so I haven't really read the detail about it. Encouraged that it may not mean no lifting of the restrictions before then. I was hoping the beginning of June might see a little more freedom in our lives, even if I understand it will be lifted in stages and social distancing is here to stay for some time.

[Thesispieces]

How long do you think it takes to discover, approve, manufacture, then administer a vaccine. And what percentage of the population will the vaccine be effective for? If you investigate all of the above you will realise furlough schemes or whatever etc cannot go on for too long as it’s futile. We will have to get the nation back to work whilst the pandemic rages on I’m afraid. We can’t afford £ not to.......if the NHS is deemed able to ‘cope’ then life will will have to go on.

[LooQoo]

Only 11 people under the age of 45 have died from it (in the U.K.), 2 women and 9 men. Let’s face it, it isn’t a risk to most of the workforce. Those over 70 are mostly taking a pension, so let’s get the under 45s, with no underlying conditions, back to work - it’s the workers that are being financially penalised, not the pensioners.

[TJH130]

@ineedaholidaynow exactly that re. Redundancy Consultation time etc, thats why this has happened

[bakedbeanzontoast]

Perhaps the furlough might be extended further but the government offering less percentage?

I wonder how soon we will see the economic effects of all of this.

[LilacTree1]

Yes it does say something aboit lockdown

It wouldn’t be amended till about a fortnight after Ramadan anyway I reckon.

[bathsh3ba]

Is redundancy relevant to all people or only those who have worked there a certain amount of time? I ask because I have a friend who is furloughed who only started the job 6 months ago in a travel industry. I'm guessing the outlook for them is bleak...

[ListeningQuietly]

Furlough will be followed by UC for most people if Lockdown goes on beyond mid May.

[ListeningQuietly]

ineed
many people currently on furlough would need to have been notified of consultation period of 45 days for potential redundancy, to coincide with original end date of furlough.
Not if their employers go into liquidation
which is the most likely outcome of an extended lockdown

[Beebityboo]

@LooQoo, do you mind sharing where you got those numbers? Not saying it isn't true but I was sure I'd seen stories of several women in their twenties-thirties dying from this?