Responding to the announcement by Chancellor Rishi Sunak of an ongoing plan by the government to support jobs after the end of the furlough scheme, CPT Head of Policy Alison Edwards said:
“Bus and coach operators have made use of the furlough scheme and it has provided a lifeline for many family run businesses across the country. We are pleased the Chancellor has listened to CPT and the wider business community and introduced measures that are designed to help avoid job losses as the furlough scheme ends.
Many coach operators still face a challenging winter, their third in a row in terms of business income. The Chancellor missed an opportunity today to extend finance holidays for another 12 months, which along with bespoke support to recognise the challenges coach operators face with social distancing, would provide the coach sector with the breathing room it needs to trade their way out of this crisis in 2021.”
The Job Support Scheme will see a transition to the government only supporting jobs which continue to be viable and run for 6 months from 1 November. Workers will receive three-quarters of their normal salary, and government support will reduce from the 80% paid during furlough to 22%.
