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Original poster

Furlough extended until end of September?

113 replies

Thedarksideofthemoon30 · 02/03/2021 22:02

Wtf.. how are we ever going to pay this back? And why have they extended it?!

OP posts:
Anna12345678910 · 03/03/2021 10:58

@Thedarksideofthemoon30

Wtf.. how are we ever going to pay this back? And why have they extended it?!
To make it look like the unemployment rate is lower than it is. Artificial manipulation. To give some businesses space to breathe so they can come back and not worry about paying wages. It's artificial though and open to fraud. Some have done well on furlough getting paid whilst having time to retrain, study or work in new job or set up businesses
Anna12345678910 · 03/03/2021 11:02

@echt

So there is a Magic Money Tree.

Not like the one that made the Labour Party so ridiculous, oh no.

It's OK if it is a Tory magic money tree...
MiaMarshmallows · 03/03/2021 11:02

I still think in September, the unemployment figures will be sky high. Once furlough ends (If it ever does) and because there are hundreds of people going for the same job roles.
I used to feel optimistic but now I am worried. I think some think we will go back to normal by the end of the year with most people back in jobs and back on their feet financially. Personally, I think they are in for a shock.

Cheesecats · 03/03/2021 11:27

The economics of a nation don’t work the same way as a household budget. It’s simplistic to think of it in that way.

Cheesecats · 03/03/2021 11:27

Although pushing that view always helps Tories to sell austerity

Donotfeedthebears · 03/03/2021 11:33

@MiaMarshmallows

I still think in September, the unemployment figures will be sky high. Once furlough ends (If it ever does) and because there are hundreds of people going for the same job roles. I used to feel optimistic but now I am worried. I think some think we will go back to normal by the end of the year with most people back in jobs and back on their feet financially. Personally, I think they are in for a shock.
I work in the civil service and had an admin officer job go to external recruitment. I received over a thousand applications! For a basic, 20k job. Many of the applicants were highly qualified and have previously earned a lot more money.

I hope that people still think it was worth it to “not kill granny” when they are long term unemployed and lose their homes.

McSilkson · 03/03/2021 11:52

Because furlough is the "bread" of Bread and Circuses. It keeps a large section of the population complacent and compliant.

But furlough is the dole - don't kid yourselves. It's a trial run for UBI - UBI by another name - and is successfully weaning people on to a life without work or purpose.

And it will be necessary when the expected and planned delays to "reopening" happen.

The majority will be paid to stay at home and consume (that is already happening), and eventually rent, goods from home - goods owned by the people who already own just about everything. "You will own nothing and you will be happy about it." An underclass will be required to actually manufacture the goods, though eventually that should largely be taken over by automation.

A single source of digital income coming from the state, with no cash and no means of earning, will ensure total dependency on the state and therefore total compliance. Don't obey, don't eat.

But at least the air will be cleaner and the cities quieter, without people out and about in them: twitter.com/wef/status/1365614687514165248

This is certainly the world that many powerful bodies and people are angling for. It remains to be seen how much of it will come to pass.

MiaMarshmallows · 03/03/2021 12:17

Yes, I have heard of many friends who have said the same. Posted out a job, even small roles, and hundreds are applying for it.
I just cannot see how we are going to get everyone back into work. Furlough is a sticking plaster but will still mean many more jobs are lost over the months.

Hitchyhero · 03/03/2021 12:30

My partner wasn't even entitled to furlough because he was only self employed just under a year when furlough started.

So we had to apply for Universal credit and was awarded with a whopping £250 per month whilst I only come out with 1.2k per month.

I hope this is all worth it at the end as I still see mass unemployment at the end..... Plus a big furlough bill, which we will all be paying for. Is a decade of pain and stress of being jobless and losing your home worth all this to save granny.

StarCat2020 · 03/03/2021 13:34

@Hitchyhero
Have a look at the Budget because he may be included in the 600,000 people who can now claim SEISS.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 03/03/2021 13:42

It's better than letting loads of businesses fold and millions more people on UC

Maybe, but it's only going to work for so many. If a business is right up against the wall they're unlikely to hang on just because of the furlough scheme, and once they're gone they're gone

As said, though, it's about massaging the unemployment figures and "every little helps" - especially when the long term payback will be someone else's problem

Northernlass99 · 03/03/2021 14:21

I do agree with the furlough scheme and it has done a good job of protecting a lot of businesses from just going bust and laying everyone off, and for that I am happy.

But (I know, I know, it is wrong and I'll get flamed) it is hard watching my ex-BIL on furlough, with his company making up his 20%, so on full pay (a well above average decent wage) for the last year and possibly another six months! His company have said as long as the furlough cash is available they will keep taking it. He is loving life, really into his music, MAML activities cycling the peaks, cooking, not interested in voluntary work or studying, just very happy. I am glad he will have a job to go back to but it is soooo hard not to have massive envy.

user1497207191 · 03/03/2021 14:26

@Puzzledandpissedoff

It's better than letting loads of businesses fold and millions more people on UC

Maybe, but it's only going to work for so many. If a business is right up against the wall they're unlikely to hang on just because of the furlough scheme, and once they're gone they're gone

As said, though, it's about massaging the unemployment figures and "every little helps" - especially when the long term payback will be someone else's problem

Depends on why it "right up against the wall". If it's because they're not actually allowed to operate, i.e. pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, non food shops (and their supply chains) then there's no reason at all why they won't bounce back quickly once they're allowed to operate again.

That's very different from a struggling factory that was struggling before covid.

SexTrainGlue · 03/03/2021 14:33

It's OK if it is a Tory magic money tree..

It was one they knew they had - the post-Brexit feel-good spending plan (amelioration of negatives, boosts with whatever was left over)

As opposed to the potential future Labour one, the existence of which was less certain in the first place and the size of which (and how it stacked up against spending plans) was unknown and not fully explained

The Tory war chest has gone on the pandemic, but at least Brexit hasn't been too expensive thus far.

And there's probably more to find, so yes freezes on thresholds and rises on taxes are likelymfir years tomcome. Whoever gets voted in

MiaMarshmallows · 03/03/2021 14:49

Apparently the economy will be back to pre covid levels by middle of 2022 according to Sunak. Confused

Hoorayhenryyah · 03/03/2021 15:59

The economy isn’t like a tap, you can’t just turn it off and on. Many businesses which have been closed will take time to gain momentum again and build up orders/business. Not many will start operating at full capacity from the get go! The extension of furlough will allow businesses to open and find their feet again and get back to full operating capacity

ChocOrange1 · 03/03/2021 16:07

Although (we hope) pubs, shops etc. Will be opening in the Summer, there are plenty of industries which won't be fully open. Off the top of my head, airports, theatres, festivals, weddings. Even if they are open they may not be working at full capacity, so would need to furlough some staff or use part time furlough.

ChocOrange1 · 03/03/2021 16:09

@MiaMarshmallows

Apparently the economy will be back to pre covid levels by middle of 2022 according to Sunak. Confused
I can believe it. Everyone I know is gagging to spend money on trips, days out, meals out and parties. Obviously we will have incurred a lot of debt but the day to day economy may be similar to 2019 in a year or so.
MiaMarshmallows · 03/03/2021 17:00

Try telling that to the longterm unemployed and those who have lost their livelihoods.
Mumsnet is very middle class so a lot will be in a position to spend. Back in the real world, not going to happen.

sandandseashores · 03/03/2021 21:33

Should never have been put in place at all - the people are unemployed in all but name. Why not let them go, and if the employers want them back let them come back by re-employing them. Avoid a two tier system & paying for zombie jobs.

If people have savings, these should all be spent first. Why should hospitality be saved? Steel works and textile mills weren't saved when a risk affected them. There is no barrier to entry, a new company can take over in weeks if needed to sell sandwiches. Physical retail was a spreader of disease, whilst online worked really well - why should we all pay to support poor businesses that were part of the problem?

Rather than burdening future generations, UC should have been standard for everyone who had no real work and it should have been cut significantly to reduce the overall bill.

Instead of taxing those who worked throughout the period, a specific furlough tax could now apply to those who received excessive support beyond UC - make it into a long term personal loan like a student loan.

Our children should not have to repay this debt - the people who received the support should be obliged to take it on.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 03/03/2021 21:41

@sandandseashores

Should never have been put in place at all - the people are unemployed in all but name. Why not let them go, and if the employers want them back let them come back by re-employing them. Avoid a two tier system & paying for zombie jobs.

If people have savings, these should all be spent first. Why should hospitality be saved? Steel works and textile mills weren't saved when a risk affected them. There is no barrier to entry, a new company can take over in weeks if needed to sell sandwiches. Physical retail was a spreader of disease, whilst online worked really well - why should we all pay to support poor businesses that were part of the problem?

Rather than burdening future generations, UC should have been standard for everyone who had no real work and it should have been cut significantly to reduce the overall bill.

Instead of taxing those who worked throughout the period, a specific furlough tax could now apply to those who received excessive support beyond UC - make it into a long term personal loan like a student loan.

Our children should not have to repay this debt - the people who received the support should be obliged to take it on.

What a load of crap.
Gamefacer · 03/03/2021 22:24

@sandandseashores you do realise that in your hideously selfish little world scenario that the huge tax deficit from having millions unemployed and not paying tax and NI would increase the burden on the likes of you. Also do you realise that those on furlough were not asking for this situation.. it was a legal order from our government to shut down businesses, to keep people at home again to protect the likes of you and to ensure you can still receive medical care.

Shame on you for your despicable attitude. Luckily your awful views will never become a reality.

Sooverthisyear · 03/03/2021 22:37

Wow @sandandseashores that’s a harsh post. So to hell with everyone who was legally forced to close their doors, Let them lose their homes etc through no fault of their own.

sandandseashores · 03/03/2021 22:38

@Gamefacer

They are unemployed, and not paying anything - but for some reason are being paid a premium set of unemployment benefits. If the jobs are there after the pandemic, they can still go back to them - just no need to pay premium.

Why for these people is becoming unemployed more dreadful than when Thomas Cook closed for those people?

I don't accept the burden must increase - the level of support in total should stay similar and the standard go down to remain affordable. People should save and prepare, not expect others to work for them to live.

Yes it was a legal order - just like stopping people selling heroin. Its a danger to society at the moment for these activities, and people who took the risk of these occupations need to find something else to do. Physical retail isn't something that important to many of us - its antiquated and a relic of a bygone age; those who desire it should pay for it. The sooner high streets turn into something better than shops and places for coffee, the better.

People should save for a rainy day and look after their families together.

Gamefacer · 03/03/2021 22:45

@sandandseashores you do realise that furlough payments are still subject to tax and NI?