[ad_1]
Boris Johnson has wreaked new chaos over the government’s plan against the coronavirus after stating that he wants to save “all the jobs in the country.”
The prime minister was branded as “tin ears” after he appeared to directly contradict Foreign Minister Rishi Sunak, who days ago unveiled a salary scheme that will only support “viable” jobs after November 1.
The Chancellor confirmed that there will be a government subsidy, but only for jobs where people can work at least a third of their normal hours. He added: “I can’t save all the businesses. I can’t save all the jobs. No chancellor could.”
That will throw hundreds of thousands of hospitality and nightlife people into the lurch, and Newcastle City Council has warned of 10,000 job losses by Christmas.
However, Johnson told PMQs today: “We are putting our arms around the entire UK economy and we will do everything we can to save all jobs.”
He later said “unfortunately we cannot save all the jobs” but added: “We are doing everything we can to save all the jobs in the country.”
The new confusion in the prime minister’s questions comes 24 hours after Johnson went wrong on the details of his own coronavirus lockdown rules at a television news conference.
The prime minister wrongly claimed that the ‘rule of six’, which prohibits gatherings of more than six people in England, does not apply outdoors.
Labor leader Keir Starmer said it was “no surprise” that the prime minister was confused, as the Conservative council leader in Bolton said the rules were too complex and generated resentment.
Sir Keir said: “If the prime minister doesn’t understand the rules and his own council leaders complain about the mixed messages, how does the prime minister expect the rest of the country to understand and follow the rules?”
Johnson said “the people of this country understand” even though Labor is trying “to attack from the sidelines, to undermine what we are trying to do.”
But blaming everyone but himself, the prime minister also suggested that the reason local closures didn’t work was because people didn’t follow the rules.
When asked why only Luton, out of 48 areas in England, had come out of a local lockdown, he replied: “I think the reason for Luton’s success is that the local population came together to suppress the virus, to follow the guidance , and that’s the way to go for the whole country.
“That is what we did before in March and April, and I have no doubt that that is what we are going to do again.”
Sir Keir highlighted the wave of job losses looming under the Chancellor’s Labor Support Program, which will pay only 22% of part-time workers’ wages. Companies must contribute 55% of a worker in 33% of their normal hours.
Sir Keir said Newcastle City Council, where there are additional restrictions on meeting people in pubs and restaurants, estimates that 10,000 hospitality jobs could be lost by Christmas.
“But for these extraordinary restrictions, these are viable jobs,” said the Labor leader.
“These companies are doing the right thing. Why has the government decided that these jobs are not worth saving? “
But the Prime Minister responded: “As I have repeatedly said, we are putting our arms around the entire UK economy and we will do everything we can to save every job.
“I saw the Newcastle Labor leader and was quite surprised by what he said, because actually, as far as I know, they were asking for the measures that we put in place.
“The best way to protect our jobs and our economy is to continue working together to comply with the measures, to reduce the virus and to keep our children in education.”
Sir Keir replied: “The question I have asked is because of the restrictions that many people jobs – 10,000 person jobs in Newcastle in hospitality are at risk – because of the restrictions.
“There are 10,000 people who wanted an answer to that last question because they are going to lose their jobs at Christmas.”
The Labor leader quoted the owner of a Richmond constituency wedding venue from Chancellor Rishi Sunak about the difficulties and possible layoffs they face.
He added: “The prime minister shouldn’t be so upset with those whose jobs are at risk.
“The reality is that the Chancellor has made a political decision to reduce financial support just as the new health restrictions are coming.”
Boris Johnson defended the government’s financial support, saying the license plan was “much more generous” than most European countries, and said he “feels” for the business owner.
But he added: “The best way forward is for him and for all the other companies in the country if we all come together now, eliminate the virus and keep the economy moving.”
[ad_2]
