Sarah Champion MP Calls for Government to Act to Prevent Mass Unemployment

Sarah Champion MP has called for the Government to take immediate action to prevent mass unemployment when coronavirus income support schemes begin to come to an end.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is currently scheduled to close on 31st October. The Self-Employed Income Support Scheme is scheduled to close on 19th October.

Speaking during Work and Pensions Questions, Sarah said: “With coronavirus support schemes beginning to be wound down and with the government seemingly unwilling to contemplate their extension, what actual steps is the minister taking to ensure that towns like Rotherham are not faced with a generation of mass unemployment, empty shops and closed factories as a result of the pandemic?”

Responding for the Government, Will Quince, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Work and Pensions said: “For those, sadly, that do lose their jobs, our Jobcentre+ up and down the country stand ready to assist.”

Commenting on the need for urgent Government action, Sarah said: “While far from comprehensive, the coronavirus support schemes have provided a vital lifeline to millions of people who have been unable to work during the pandemic. But, with many still unable to work and with cases beginning to rise sharply, the government seems determined to push ahead with ending this vital support.’

‘I am really concerned that the result in Rotherham could be substantial increases in unemployment and untold damage to our local economy. The government’s whole approach to coronavirus been far too reactive. The threat to people’s jobs and livelihoods is very real and the government must act now to prevent a return to levels of unemployment we have not seen since the 1980s.”

Commenting on the Government’s response, Sarah said: “The government does not seem to grasp the scale of the challenges facing places like Rotherham. Should the coronavirus support schemes be withdrawn on schedule, I am gravely concerned that levels of unemployment not seen since the 1980s are a very real possibility.’ ‘I will be doing everything that I can to protect jobs in Rotherham and to force the government to keep their word that no-one would be left behind in our response to this awful disease.”