Covid-19: Food discounts offer to boost youth jabs and one in five firms to cut jobs over furlough

A survey has found that one in five firms plan on letting staff go in response to the latest furlough policy change – which will see employers pay more towards workers’ wages. From Sunday, firms will have to pay 20% towards staff salaries, with the government’s contribution reducing to 60% as the scheme continues to wind down. The British Chamber of Commerce surveyed 250 businesses, with 18% telling the chamber they were likely to make staff redundant in response to the change to furlough. A quarter said they would aim to reduce hours or move staff to part-time working patterns. Jane Gratton, head of people policy at the chamber, said it was “crucial” employers and the government gave returning furloughed staff support and training to help them be “re-engaged and productive”.