South Glos Labour Group Leader Councillor Pat Rooney is one of over 1000 councillors who have written to the Prime Minister asking for targeted support to protect jobs and businesses.

Councillor Rooney said: “The Government’s decision to end the furlough scheme will result in many more redundancies and a massive increase in unemployment simply adding to the costs of universal credit. We need targeted support for those industries which have been particularly badly affected by Covid 19, and also those areas under local lockdowns. In addition we need to increase the amount paid in statutory sick pay so that people can afford to self-isolate. Currently many workers on low wages and the self-employed, who are only eligible for statutory sick pay cannot afford to take time off work if they are asked to self isolate – they are then forced to choose between putting their lives and other people’s lives at risk, or not having enough money to feed their families. As we are now seeing Covid 19 infections increasing again it is of the utmost urgency that the government re-thinks its decision on furlough and increases financial support for those most affected.”