Keir Starmer Demands Economic 'Plan B' As Autumn Budget Cancelled
Keir Starmer has called for a “plan B” for the UK’s economy after Boris Johnson imposed fresh coronavirus restrictions which are predicted to threaten jobs.
The Labour leader used a televised address to the nation on Wednesday to say “it makes no sense to bring in new restrictions at the same time as phasing out support for jobs and businesses”.
“We need a ‘plan B’ for the economy,” he stressed.
It came as chancellor Rishi Sunak scrapped the autumn Budget and prepared to make an emergency economic statement on Thursday.
Sunak has faced widespread calls to replace the furlough scheme that runs out in October given the impact the new restrictions, including advice to work from home and 10pm closing times for hospitality, are likely to have on businesses.
The Treasury said work on a scheme to replace furlough had been taking place in parallel with Budget preparations.
Its focus will be on saving jobs to avoid the expected three million unemployed.
The Treasury said: “We will always be honest with people about the difficult trade-offs that are involved here.
“Not between health and the economy, but between keeping people in jobs and helping them find new ones. And between help in the here and now and rebuilding in the future. That’s what people deserve.”
The chancellor initially announced his move via Twitter, with a graphic titled “Winter Economy Plan”.
As our response to coronavirus adapts, tomorrow afternoon I will update the House of Commons on our plans to continue protecting jobs through the winter. pic.twitter.com/eP6aqcocxd
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) September 23, 2020
No further details were provided and it came as the government confirmed more than 6,000 new coronavirus cases by 9am on Wednesday – the highest daily number since May 1.
A Treasury source said: “No-one wanted to be in this situation but we need to respond to it.
“The chancellor has shown he has been creative in the past and we hope that people will trust us to...
