Move is a "vital measure" says leading charity

Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has welcomed a four month extension to the UK government’s furlough scheme.

The move, announced today, is set to continue support for the 7.5m workers already using the scheme.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed that employees will continue to receive 80% of their monthly wages up to £2,500.

It comes as Nicola Sturgeon urged Scottish companies not to call staff back to work early while the coronavirus lockdown remains in place.

The UK government is asking those who cannot work from home in England to start returning to the workplace.

But the first minister said she was "not yet encouraging more people to go back to work" north of the border.

Mhoraig Green, social justice spokesperson for CAS, said the job retention scheme is a vital measure to protect jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic.

She added: “We welcome the news that the scheme is to be extended until October and the 80% value will be protected.

“This is an important step in protecting incomes during these unprecedented times, as our evidence base suggests that people are facing serious issues with the cost of living.

“We need to see further details of how employers will be expected to contribute to the scheme without risking significant redundancies in sectors unable to open up safely before October.

“Leaving lockdown was always going to be serious challenge and government has an important role to play in protecting the incomes of people affected by the crisis.”

Sturgeon said companies would eventually get back up and running, but this must be done in a careful and considered way to "give people reassurance that there health was not at risk.