Furlough 2.0: Rishi Sunak draws up German-style scheme for the Treasury to subsidise workers' wages after Boris Johnson ditches back to work drive and business chiefs warn one million furloughed staff could be axed unless there is ANOTHER bailout

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Rishi Sunak is drawing up plans for a new German-style wage subsidy scheme to prop up the UK economy and avoid a wave of job losses when furlough comes to an end, it was claimed today. 

The Chancellor is being urged by business chiefs to 'get around the table' and agree new job support measures after Boris Johnson ditched his back to work drive and imposed a range of new coronavirus restrictions. 

Companies fear the new crackdown will deal a hammer blow to already struggling firms especially with the furlough programme closing at the end of October.

But reports suggest Mr Sunak is planning a new scheme to prevent job losses after retail bosses warned that up to a million furloughed workers could be made redundant without another bailout.  

The mooted plans being looked at by the Chancellor would see the Government and firms share the cost of topping up wages for employees who are only able to work part-time because of the pandemic.

Sir Keir Starmer put the pressure on Mr Johnson on the issue during PMQs today as he said ending furlough meant 'health measures and economic measures are now dangerously out of sync’.

Mr Johnson replied: ‘Let’s be in absolutely no doubt that the work that this Government has done to protect the economy of this country, to support the jobs of 12 million people through the furlough scheme and overall expenditure of about £160 billion has been unexampled anywhere else in the world.

‘I think he should pay tribute to the Chancellor and his work and we will go forward with further creative and imaginative schemes to keep our economy moving.’ 

Mr Sunak announced this afternoon on Twitter that he will deliver an update on his 'plans to continue protecting jobs throughout the winter' in the House of Commons tomorrow.  

Rishi Sunak is drawing up plans for a new German-style job retention programme to replace the government's outgoing coronavirus furlough scheme, reports suggest

The Government's furlough scheme has helped support almost 10 million jobs during the crisis, covering up to 80 per cent of an employee's wages up to a maximum of £2,500 a month. 

It is now in the process of being wound down and will formally close at the end of next month after racking up a bill of more than £39 billion.

There were already calls from opposition politicians and business groups for the scheme to be extended even before Mr Johnson announced his latest coronavirus curbs yesterday. 

But the Prime Minister's decision to encourage workers to work from home where they are able to and impose a 10pm curfew on the hospitality sector, potentially for the next six months, has spooked businesses and accelerated calls for more help to be brought forward. 

Luke Johnson, an entrepreneur and former Pizza Express boss, told BBC Newsnight he believed one million furloughed workers could be axed if the Government does not put in place new financial support measures. 

He said: 'Rates relief and loans to businesses have made a hell of a difference and if they are extended they will help.

'There are still three million people probably on furlough and many of those jobs are at risk if lockdowns in some form or fashion continue and severe restrictions remain in place.' 

He added: 'It may be that they are simply, all the subsidies are cut off and in which case I would estimate that of the perhaps three million at least a million maybe more will be made redundant because I think those companies will be feeling very demoralised and not confident about investing and rebuilding and possibly they are insolvent therefore they close down altogether.' 

Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey said yesterday it was time to 'stop and rethink' the end of the furlough scheme as he advocated adopting a new more targeted approach.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC), which outlined its furlough replacement proposal last month, said the Government must 'fast-track a new plan' to protect jobs.

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: 'We have published detailed proposals for a new short-time working and upskilling scheme.

'With the right approach we can stop mass unemployment scarring millions.

'My message to ministers is clear: let's get around the table and fast-track a new plan.'

It comes as Boris Johnson yesterday hit reverse on his back to work drive and imposed new restrictions on the Covid-19 hit hospitality industry in a bid to slow Britain's rising infection rates, while avoiding an economically devastating second national lockdown

Mr Sunak has repeatedly stressed that the furlough scheme will not be extended. 

But he has pledged to be 'creative' in helping businesses and is understood to be weighing up a number of possible measures to subsidise workers' wages, having consulted unions and business groups.

It is thought he postponed an announcement due yesterday to extend the Government's emergency loan schemes in favour of a bigger support package.

One option reportedly being considered is a scheme similar to Germany's highly-praised Kurzarbeit, or shorter work-time policy, under which firms can radically cut working hours in economic downturns with the state replacing part of their lost income.

The TUC has proposed a similar scheme that would see workers receive 80 per cent of their salary for the hours they are not in work.

Companies would get a 70 per cent subsidy from the Government, provided they bring back every worker on the scheme for a minimum proportion of their normal working hours.

Another proposal put forward by the CBI business group would see subsidies for firms that can offer staff at last 50 per cent of their normal hours, with the cost for non-working hours shared equally by the company, the Treasury and the employee. 

Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, director general of the CBI, said: 'A second national lockdown would be devastating for our economy, so it's right to prioritise bringing infections under control.

'But there can be no avoiding the crushing blow new measures bring for thousands of firms, particularly in city centres and for our hospitality sector employing over four million people.

'It is vital that all announcements of restrictions go hand in hand with clarity on the business support that protects jobs.' 

The Treasury declined to comment.

The furlough scheme has cost the Government £39.3 billion to date, with £3.9 billion paid out between August 16 and September 20 alone, according to the latest figures.

More than £13 billion has been handed to firms and workers through five different Government support schemes in the last month.

John Phillips, acting general secretary of the GMB union, said: 'Other countries have made a head start in offering support, protection and reassurance to industries as our economy stands on the edge of the abyss.

'The Treasury has promised creative action in this extended, unprecedented period – but time is short.

'Ministers must target support for industries, support for incomes and take action to save jobs.'