One in Four UK Companies Plan to Lay Off Staff if Furlough Ends Soon: Survey

General view of the Canary Wharf financial district, following the outbreak of the CCP virus pandemic, in London, on May 5, 2020. Marika Kochiashvili/Reuters

A quarter of British businesses expect to lay off staff if Finance Minister Rishi Sunak doesn’t extend the job furlough scheme that’s due to expire at the end of April, Britain’s national business network said on Thursday.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said businesses had been “pushed to the brink” by the restrictions imposed due to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic, and called on the government to set out a “clear roadmap for reopening” and extend financial support for businesses throughout 2021.