Published by the Pirate FM News Team at 5:23pm 14th May 2020.

Cornwall's business boss is lobbying the government for another furlough extension, to help provide security through the summer.

Kim Conchie from Cornwall Chamber of Commerce says it's crucial for the hospitality, retail and leisure sectors.

Currently workers will continue to get 80 percent of their salary until the end of July.

He says that needs to continue until the end of August, to help prevent redundancies, particularly in the tourism industry.

"I will be lobbying hard to make sure the current 80% scheme is extended until the end of August. This will be the crucial period for hospitality, leisure and retail businesses who will be very anxious and will be looking to make redundancies unless they can be assured the scheme is extended till the end of August and they know exactly what their income will be through those crucial summer months".

Kim Conchie, CEO of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce

Meanwhile the Treasury has said "As we reopen the economy, we need to support people to get back to work.

From the start of August, furloughed workers will be able to return to work part-time with employers being asked to pay a percentage towards the salaries of their furloughed staff.

The employer payments will substitute the contribution the government is currently making, ensuring that staff continue to receive 80% of their salary, up to £2,500 a month."

"Our Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has protected millions of jobs and businesses across the UK during the outbreak – and I’ve been clear that I want to avoid a cliff edge and get people back to work in a measured way.

This extension and the changes we are making to the scheme will give flexibility to businesses while protecting the livelihoods of the British people and our future economic prospects."

Rishi Sunak MP, The Chancellor of the Exchequer

New statistics published today revealed the job retention scheme has protected 7.5 million workers and almost 1 million businesses.

The scheme will continue in its current form until the end of July and the changes to allow more flexibility will come in from the start of August. More specific details and information around its implementation will be made available by the end of this month.

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