UK extends furlough plan for workers by a month to end of June

The United Kingdom has on Friday extended by a month until the end of June the furlough plan for workers at companies hammered by the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is the right decision to extend the furlough scheme for a month to the end of June to provide clarity,” UK finance minister Rishi Sunak said.

The plan, which permits companies to furlough employees with the government paying cash grants of 80 percent of their wages up to a maximum of £2,500 ($158.69), was originally open for three months and backdated from March 1 to the end of May.

“It is vital for people’s livelihoods that the UK economy gets up and running again when it is safe to do so, and I will continue to review the scheme so it is supporting our recovery.” Sunak added.