Response to end of furlough scheme, September 2021

Ahead of the end of the furlough scheme tomorrow (30 September) Nick Bowes, Chief Executive, Centre for London said:

“The end of the furlough scheme is a massive moment for employers and workers across London. Over the last year, the scheme has been a lifeline for many businesses, with London having the highest proportion of workers on furlough in England. In particular, the hospitality and construction industries have been relying on the scheme to protect jobs right up to the last day that it was still available.

“The fact that almost 1 in 10 people are unemployed in some London boroughs like Haringey, Newham, Brent and Barking and Dagenham is not getting the coverage it deserves. These are levels not seen for over two decades and are almost twice the national average, further illustrating the enormity of London’s own levelling up challenges.

“There needs to be a huge concerted effort led by the government to stop London from becoming the unemployment capital of the UK.”