Furlough ends as the Tories cut Universal Credit and Brexit chaos mounts

Man working on a roof
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As the furlough scheme ends, workers are afraid. The furlough scheme was meant to support those whose jobs were affected by the coronavirus (Covid-19) 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.

Fossil fuels

As Labour MP John McDonnell pointed out, time for just treatment for those affected was overdue:

Hundreds of thousands of people could be affected in Wales alone, one Twitter user warned. Including up to 60 thousand children:

Worker anxiety

While others spoke of the deep anxiety faced by workers:

And another said they had expected to be back at work tomorrow. But their boss had gone silent.

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

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