Furlough scheme extended to end of April 2021

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has extended the furlough scheme for one more month until the end of April 2021.

He also said that the government-backed loan schemes designed to support stricken firms through the pandemic would continue until the end of March.

Sunak said: “Our package of support for businesses and workers continues to be one of the most generous and effective in the world – helping our economy to recover and protecting livelihoods across the country.

“We know the premium businesses place on certainty, so it is right that we enable them to plan ahead regardless of the path the virus takes, which is why we’re providing certainty and clarity by extending this support.”

The Chancellor also revealed that the next Budget would be on March 3.

Sunak extended the scheme until the end of March on November 5. At the time the Government said it will continue to pay 80% of the wages of furloughed staff and review the measures in January.

Sunak also said because of the new measures, the Government’s Job Retention Scheme had been postponed.