Coronavirus: Sir Keir Starmer to Request License Scheme Replacement



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EPA

Sir Keir Starmer will ask the government to replace the licensing scheme and outlaw “layoff and rehire” methods to avoid the “healing effect” of “mass unemployment”.

Nearly 10 million workers have been laid off since March, but the plan will end on October 31.

The Labor leader will address the TUC, proposing specific support for the most affected sectors.

The government said it was already implementing a plan to protect jobs.

Speaking to the annual conference of the Trade Union Congress, Sir Keir will make the case to replace the job retention scheme, also known as the leave scheme, which was introduced to support employers and staff during the coronavirus shutdown.

Under it, employees on leave due to virus restrictions have received 80% of their salary up to a maximum of £ 2,500 per month.

Since September, companies have had to start making a contribution to salaries as part of the liquidation plan.

The government has been reluctant to extend the licensing plan beyond October, and Johnson argued that it would only keep people “on suspended animation.”

However, Sir Keir is expected to argue that “with a little imagination and acting in the national interest, a better approach is possible.”

HI’s alternative proposals include expanding part-time work and rewarding employers who give people hours instead of cutting jobs; providing training and support for those unable to return full time, and targeting sectors most in need, such as retail, aviation and those affected by local lockdowns.

“Imagine how powerful it would be if we could form a genuine national plan to protect jobs, create new ones, and invest in skills and training,” he should say.

“I am making an open offer to the prime minister: work with us to keep millions of people at work, work with unions and work with companies, do everything you can to protect jobs and deliver good results to workers “.

The Labor leader will also praise the unions as “forgotten heroes” saying: “Without you there would have been no licensing plan, no life raft for seven million people.”

Addressing the conference on Monday, TUC leader Frances O’Grady said: “If the government does not act, we face a tsunami of job losses.”

During his speech, Sir Keir will also urge the government to ban “fire and rehire” practices whereby companies fire employees but then rehire them with worse pay and conditions.

It is expected to say, “These tactics punish good employers, hit workers hard, and hurt our economy.”

A Treasury spokesman said: “We already have a national plan not only to protect jobs, but to create new ones, and we are implementing it right now.

“Thousands of young people will take their first steps on the job through our £ 2 billion Kickstart program this fall and our Job Retention Bonus of up to £ 9 billion will help businesses get people on leave back to work. job”.

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