Yorkshire job losses show government jobs package isn’t ready for public health emergency

Commenting on yesterday’s (Tuesday 13 October) ONS figures for earnings and employment, which show payrolled employees in Yorkshire fell by 49,000 between Q2-Q3 this year, TUC Regional Secretary Bill Adams said:

“The government’s job support package isn’t ready for this renewed public health emergency. In the wake of tightening restrictions this week and the prospect of a circuit-breaker national lockdown, more help is needed to save jobs and prevent unnecessary hardship.

“The loss of almost 50,000 payrolled employees from the labour force in our region is an economic shock that shows that the government’s measures just aren’t enough.

“This is the biggest fall on record, and it shows that the government’s support scheme just isn’t working. The slow roll out of furlough this summer meant that those 50,000 people who lost jobs in March and April weren’t kept on via wage support.

“This shows business support must be conditional on keeping people on payroll.

“Uncertainty and piecemeal action makes it difficult for businesses and workers to plan.

“Where businesses are forced to close, workers should get at least 80% of their wages through the job support scheme. Firms which are hit by stricter local restrictions and low demand but can stay open need a more generous short-time working scheme, with significantly reduced employer contributions. And there must be additional support for the overlooked self-employed too.

“That’s the right response to new restrictions and business closures. Government must not force a choice between lives and livelihoods.”



ENDS