A man cycles past closed shops in Regent Street in London, Britain, May 12, 2020. To support millions of jobs and businesses across Britain during the COVID-19 outbreak, the British government decided to extend the implementation of its Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme until the end of October, said a Treasury statement released Tuesday. (Xinhua/Han Yan)
LONDON, May 12 (Xinhua) -- To support millions of jobs and businesses across Britain during the COVID-19 outbreak, the British government decided to extend the implementation of its Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme until the end of October, said a Treasury statement released Tuesday.
"This extension and the changes we are making to the scheme will give flexibility to businesses while protecting the livelihoods of the British people and our future economic prospects," said Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak.
Furloughed workers across the country will continue to be able to receive 80 percent of their current salary, up to 2,500 pounds (about 3,079 U.S. dollars), said the statement, noting that the job retention scheme "has protected 7.5 million workers and almost 1 million businesses."
The scheme will continue in its current form until the end of July and the changes to allow more flexibility will come in from the start of August. More specific details and information around its implementation will be made available by the end of this month, said the statement.
"Our Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has protected millions of jobs and businesses across the UK during the outbreak -- and I've been clear that I want to avoid a cliff edge and get people back to work in a measured way," said Sunak.
The extension decision came after the government outlined its phased easing strategy of lockdown on Monday.
"Extending the furlough to avoid a June cliff-edge continues the significant efforts made already and will protect millions of jobs," said Carolyn Fairbairn, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry.
Firms will want more details on "how they will contribute to the scheme in the future and will work with government to get this right. The greater the number of good businesses saved now, the easier it will be for the economy to recover," said Fairbairn.
"Over the coming months, the government should continue to listen to business and evolve the scheme in line with what's happening on the ground," Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).
"Further support may yet be needed for companies who are unable to operate for an extended period, or those who face reduced capacity or demand due to ongoing restrictions," added Marshall.
Another 627 COVID-19 patients have died in Britain as of Monday afternoon, bringing the total coronavirus-related death toll in the country to 32,692, the Department of Health and Social Care said Tuesday.
