LISTEN: Furlough scheme extended until March 2021 and £400M in new funding for Northern Ireland

By Q Radio News

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak told the Commons “upfront guaranteed funding” for the devolved administrations will increase by £2 billion.

He said: “I also want to reassure the people of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The furlough scheme was designed and delivered by the Government of the United Kingdom on behalf of all the people of the United Kingdom, wherever they live.

“That has been the case since March, it is the case now and will remain the case until next March.

Furlough will be extended until end of March, with furloughed workers receiving 80% of wage

The self-employed will also receive 80% of average trading profits for Nov, Dec and Jan

Sinn Féin will continue to work to protect families, workers and businesses through this pandemic.

— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) November 5, 2020

“It is a demonstration of the strength of the Union and an undeniable truth of this crisis we have only been able to provide this level of economic support because we are a United Kingdom.

“And I can announce today that the upfront guaranteed funding for devolved administrations is increasing from £14 billion to £16 billion.

Rishi Sunak speaking in the House of Commons

A tweet by HM Treasury later confirmed Northern Ireland would receive a guaranteed boost of an extra £400 millioon.

“This Treasury is, has been and will always be the Treasury for the whole of the United Kingdom.”

Later today at 5pm, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to hold a Coronavirus news conference.

He will be joined by the boss of NHS England, Sir Simon Stevens. 

Boris Johnson

Finance Minister, Conor Murphy has welcomed the announcement from the Chancellor which provides a £400 million Barnett guarantee uplift for the Executive and confirmation the Furlough scheme will be extended until March 2021 and the self-employed scheme up to April 2021.

Conor Murphy

Responding to the announcement, Conor Murphy said: “I welcome this £400 million uplift which will be used to support our response to Covid-19.

“I have repeatedly called for the extension of furlough and support for the self-employed. Today’s announcement will provide businesses and workers with much needed certainty as they plan for the difficult weeks and months ahead.” 

This means that furloughed employees will receive 80% of their usual salary for hours not worked, for the next five months. Initially, employers will only be asked to cover National Insurance and Employer pension contributions for hours not worked, with employer contributions to be reviewed in January.

The self-employed will now receive 80% of average trading profit for November, December and January through the Self Employment Income Support Scheme with a further grant to follow covering February to April.

Conor Murphy said: “While I welcome today’s announcement it’s regrettable these calls have not been answered sooner and this extension has only come when further stringent restrictions were imposed in England.

“I call on the British Government, going forward to provide certainty much earlier in respect of support schemes like this which are a vital lifeline for businesses and employees.”