Job Support Scheme: Concerted pressure forces concessions from Chancellor, but low paid workers facing massive hardship

October 22nd 2020

Job Support Scheme: Concerted pressure forces concessions from Chancellor, but low paid workers facing massive hardship

October 22nd 2020

Responding to the Chancellor’s changes to the Job Support Scheme, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said:

“Previous experience tells us to examine with care the detail of any announcement coming from Westminster. However, on the face of it, this is a step forward and a vindication of concerted pressure from unions and local leaders. We exposed the fundamental flaws in the previous plans, arguing that Government should pick-up the employer element of the contribution. At least to some degree the Government has seen sense.

“The most glaring holes in the new plan are the failure to provide a wage floor for low paid workers who are currently being expected to subsist on income well below the Minimum Wage, and the level of support for self-employed workers which is still too low.

“In Scotland, we urgently need clarification on the Barnett consequentials of the other elements of support announced. It is vital that the Scottish Government receives the funding required to support workers throughout the period of the soon to implemented 5-tier restriction plan.”

ENDS

For more information, please contact Dave Moxham, Deputy General Secretary, on 07891026870.