FURLOUGH could be brought back if further restrictions are imposed to tackle Omicron, insiders claim. Ministers are being urged to guarantee support for staff and employers in case their businesses have to shut. Reviving the furlough scheme would take another huge hit to the government coffers but could avert an unemployment crisis. He told the BBC: "If these are longer term restrictions then of course we would have to look at things like business support measures." Treasury officials said they're nowhere near relaunching furlough just yet, but would always look at new measures in case the outbreak spiralled.

Source: The Times December 14, 2021 18:12 UTC