Job Support Scheme expansion will protect jobs in lockdown areas but ministers must do more

Responding to the Chancellor’s announcement today (Friday) on the expansion of the Job Support Scheme for local lockdown areas with required business closures, the TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“This scheme will protect jobs in businesses forced to close by local restrictions. But ministers still need to do more to stop the devastation of mass unemployment.

“Firms which aren’t required to close but will still be hit by stricter local restrictions need a more generous short-time working scheme. And there needs to be extra help for self-employed people in local lockdown areas too. 

“Nationally, industries like the arts, hospitality, retail and aviation face a long, tough winter. These sectors need targeted help. And we need proper investment to create good new jobs in the green tech of the future.”