A Gedling councillor has written to Boris Johnson urging him to rethink plans to scrap the furlough scheme next month.
Cllr Michael Payne is calling on the Government to target support at industries worst-hit by the coronavirus pandemic to prevent mass unemployment.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, the deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council wrote: “Our country is facing an unprecedented jobs crisis.
“Your government’s plan to end furlough outright is over-simplistic and will only exacerbate the problem – it puts millions of jobs at risk
“We need a financial support system that targets industries worst hit by the pandemic; supports any areas under local lockdown restrictions; and ensures incomes for people who are forced to self-isolate, including for those that are self-employed.
He added: “As councillors and local representatives, we are extremely concerned about the impact the blanket withdrawal of furlough will have on our communities and we urge you to reconsider in order to save jobs, and to save lives”
Figures show that around 10 million workers have had wages paid by the state through furlough, at a cost of £35billion.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has repeatedly ruled out extending the scheme.And Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said furlough is ”keeping workers in suspended animation”
The scheme is set to end on October 31.
