To think that Rishi Sunak....

[TheBeatGoesOn]

Could save most of the economy if he thinks up a plan similar to extending furlough ?

Rishi is making an announcement tomorrow saying he will include big measures to support businesses and employment.
Basically, workers are told to do only a small amount of their usual hours but paid the full amount that they would normally get. So in a way, almost like furlough. This could continue up to a year and may even be more generous.

As I said on the other thread, this also means, most people will most likely now be OK job wise. For people like me, made redundant, not so fortunate.

I'm about to be made redundant in my main job (redundancy is not CV related) and obviously am unlikely to be able to find another job anytime soon.
My other PT job will just about support me if I rent out rooms all the rooms in my house (eg spare bedroom & sitting room) which is what I will have to do.

I would be pretty gutted if millions of people are offered furlough to prop up big businesses - I know that will be my state pension gone to pay for it. (I have no personal pension).

I don't know what the solution is, I'm happy to job-share so I can get paid the same and do half the work - why can't we do that? Then everyone is helping support each other rather than me working my fingers to the bone in a min wage job to pay for people to have a year off work?

That's exactly how I feel PP.
Tomorrow, everyone still employed is no doubt going to feel very relieved. Working minimal hours for a year and having their wage topped up to their full amount.
I have no work at the moment and it annoys me when people say 'You can do anything you want' or 'Something bigger and better will come up very soon.' I am in the process of being diagnosed with a 2nd chronic illness and between hospital visits and weekly blood tests, I am somehow expected to find an amazing, well paid job.
Yet people still employed can relax in the knowledge that they are sorted for at least the year.

I also know of lots of people furloughed in one industry (hospitality for example) who then got temporary employment in a different industry (deliveries for example).
Therefore getting 2 wages.

I also personally know of at least 4 companies who abused the furlough system last time - applied for the money for their workers - the workers carried on working as normal.

I personally have witnessed much more abuse of the furlough system than I have witnessed cases where the money was really needed - eg people had no savings, no other income etc.

I'm jealous, I can't lie. I work really hard and don't get paid much. This will cost me in extra taxes for the rest of my life. I am going to be a poor pensioner anyway....now I believe I am going to be living in poverty in my last years.
I am happy to pay for extra taxes to pay for schools and hospitals and to end child poverty....but for people who could use savings or just cut back for a bit to be doing yoga, baking banana bread & redecorating their houses? I'm not happy about that at all. It seems bonkers if you were out of work or have been made redundant already you are screwed, but if you have a job you are on a years or more paid holiday

Completely agree with you PP. Very unfair.

According to the Times, the chancellor is considering plans for a German style subsidy scheme. The Government would pay the wages of people who return to work on a part time basis. Employers pay the wages whilst the employee is at work for 50-60% of their normal hours and the state covers 80% of their wages when not working.

I agree but the people with the wealth and power use their wealth and power to protect their wealth and power

This.

Hmm. 50% is quite a lot and I doubt many employers could give that. Especially aviation and theatre.

I think the sad fact is that many jobs that are about to be lost, can't be saved. I can't see foreign travel going back to pre covid levels ever. The world has discovered meetings can be done online, companies won't have the budget for it, many families have realised that tho a foreign holiday is lovely, the UK can be lovely too etc.

Then pubs were already struggling in many cases even before covid. It's well documented that many landlords and landlady's don't even make minimum wage.

Then there has been a boom in online sales which people have had to use, but may decide its more efficient to continue to use.

If we keep propping those companies up with furlough schemes we are just delaying the inevitable.

What is needed is targeted support for those who have lost their jobs. So training and education and sponsorship to get them back on their feet in different sectors.

It's inevitable that unemployment will go up. But how many of these jobs were 'real' jobs and how many were zero hours contracts that exploited people? How many were held by young adults who live at home? My nephew was furloughed by his part time company, he's only 17, it was his college job. He's as entitled as the next person for his payment, but his situation is a million miles away from someone working full time to feed and house a family.

Maybe you are right PP or it might go the other way and an easy year where they work minimum hours and get full pay will do the trick for things returning to normal.
I can't lie and say this is a bit of a kick in the teeth. Of course I want people to keep their jobs but to be made redundant and then hear about this generous package they are offering is really hard. Especially when I also deal with 2 chronic illnesses.