Furlough extension welcomed

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Brian Tierney has welcomed news that the Job Retention Scheme has been extended and stressed the need for flexibility.

He said: “I welcome the news the announcement from Chancellor Rishi Sunak, that the Job Retention Scheme has been extended until March next year. I wrote to the Chancellor last month lobbying for the scheme to be continued and highlighting the need for workers to be protected during the pandemic.”  

“While we await more detail, it is very welcome that workers will continue to receive 80 per-cent, at minimum, of their salary. While this is a very positive announcement and will provide clarity and relief to many across the North, it is important that the UK Government will be flexible with people and businesses, and to reflect the phasing of staff back to work and part time working that many businesses will require.”

Mayor Tierney added that Government financial support and intervention is needed if the local economy is to recover from the pandemic.

He said, “”The economy in our Council area is dominated by Micro and SME Businesses and is heavily reliant on tourism, retail and hospitality sector to provide employment.. Our tourism and hospitality sector was a thriving and vibrant sector before the pandemic and it has been disproportionately impacted. News that the furlough scheme has been extended is a step in the right direction but I will be continuing to lobby Government for additional support.”

He urged businesses looking for advice and support to visit contact the Council’s business team or visit the business support section of the website – www.derrystrabane.com/Recovery