As the furlough scheme ends, workers are afraid. The furlough scheme was meant to support those whose jobs were affected by the pandemic. But combined with a £20 cut to Universal Credit, Brexit and a fuel shortage, the end of the scheme has left many anxious.
However, for the Tories this is just the way things are. For example, Treasury minister Simon Clarke was quoted in Wales Online:
We never said we could protect every job … I think we need to be totally honest about this, the Covid pandemic has taken a toll on our economy, it’s changed some things.
Cruel
As one Twitter user pointed out, both the cut and the end of furlough come into effect today. A fact which seems particularly cruel.
Furlough ends today as does the £20 UC uplift, we know @BFAWUOfficial members as well as millions of other low paid key workers have struggled to survive the last 18months – removing both on the same day is cruel and will push millions further into poverty
Shame on the Tories
— sarah woolley (@sarahwoolley01) September 30, 2021
Fossil fuels
As Labour MP John McDonnell pointed out, time for just treatment for those affected was overdue:
Furlough ends today but there are still many sectors like aviation & communities like my own, dependent on those sectors, that need continuing support, including support for a just transition from fossil fuel dependency. Yet there’s nothing & no plan from government. #furlough
— John McDonnell MP (@johnmcdonnellMP) September 30, 2021
Hundreds of thousands of people could be affected in Wales alone, one Twitter user warned. Including up to 60 thousand children:
Furlough ending and Universal Credit set to be cut, hitting:
*280,000 people in Wales
*100 thousand low paid, key workers
*60k children in key worker households, growing up in poverty *Rocketing energy price & poorly targeted tax rises
Join @walestuc Organise to cancel the cut.pic.twitter.com/FFEnsJ9Hi2
— Shavanah Taj (@shavtaj) September 30, 2021
Worker anxiety
While others spoke of the deep anxiety faced by workers:
Just seen furlough ending tomorrow
This is when people realise they haven't got a job anymore?
— Donaldski
+
(@realsb4feelings) September 29, 2021
And another said they had expected to be back at work tomorrow. But their boss had gone silent.
Furlough is ending and my boss hasn't replied to any of my emails or phone calls about going back to the office. He's probably really busy setting up a 'welcome back' surprise!
— Helpful Jesus (@HisHolyLord) September 30, 2021
The post-Covid economy looks set to be austere. And the fear is understandable. Because with a cut to benefits, and the problems of Brexit starting to manifest, there could be a tough winter ahead for many.
Featured image via – Wikimedia Commons/David Lally
By Joe Glenton
This post was originally published on The Canary.