Bring back furlough scheme as part of Plan B, says TSSA

Reacting to new covid measures being brought in, transport and travel union TSSA calls on the government to reintroduce the furlough job retention scheme.

Measures announced on Wednesday evening include asking people to work from home if they can; mandatory face coverings extended to other indoor venues, such as theatres and cinemas; covid pass or negative lateral flow needed for nightclubs and big venues, daily tests rather than isolation for close contacts of positive cases; and a big push on encouraging people to get vaccine jabs and boosters.

Manuel Cortes, TSSA General Secretary, said: “Throughout the pandemic this government has failed to act quickly enough or take the measures needed to prevent the spread of this deadly virus, save lives and protect the economy.

“Our members in the travel industry are already suffering as a result of the reintroduction of travel restrictions and now many more workers are going to feel the pinch as Plan B kicks in. The government must bring back the furlough job retention scheme to ensure no one loses their jobs as result of the new restrictions.

“Serious measures need to be taken to save lives and protect public health and our NHS. The government must bring back the furlough job retention scheme so that businesses and workers can fully comply with covid measures without the fear of job losses or businesses going bust.”