Possible furlough scheme extension past April 2021

22nd February 2021

Could the furlough scheme be extended for fifth time in a bid to avoid widespread unemployment?  That’s the word from the Financial Times as it reported Chancellor Rishi Sunak is poised to announce a further extension of the scheme along with extended business rate relief.  The scheme is currently set to end at the end of April 2021.  For now, the Treasury is not commenting on the reports but the Financial Times story and other published reports suggest the extension will be announced next month when the government delivers its Spring budget.