The Centre Think Tank logo in pink consists of the word “Centre” with a dot in the middle of the letter “C”, all in pink.
The Centre Think Tank logo in pink consists of the word “Centre” with a dot in the middle of the letter “C”, all in pink.
The Centre Think Tank logo in pink consists of the word “Centre” with a dot in the middle of the letter “C”, all in pink.

Our vision

Expanding furlough

This paper shows how the government could expand the furlough scheme to support more workers during the pandemic.

A pink strip at the top of the paper with the words: "Centre Think Tank ISSN 2634-4696". The paper title is "Expanding furlough. Including more people in the government's income support schemes". Below this is a light blue background with various individuals on it. They include a janitor, a delivery driver, a student and a bus driver. Under this are the words "Briefing paper. By Torrin Wilkins, January 13th 2021". At the bottom is a white strip with the Centre Think Tank logo in pink beneath.

Expanding furlough: Including more people in the government's income support scheme

This paper is a collection of our practical policy solutions to include those who have been excluded from the government income support schemes. This is an urgent matter, as the risk of a second COVID-19 wave increases each day. If a second wave hits the UK, it is paramount that we ensure the self-employed are not forgotten and get the support they need.
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Quick summary

  • Allow employees to access the furlough scheme if their employer refuses to furlough them. This would also include a backdated payment for those employees who were originally refused access to furlough.
  • Increase the £50,000 cap on income to £100,000 and then taper off support payments up to £200,000. Also, backdate payments for those who were earning above £50,000 and then missed out on the last rounds of SEISS payments.
  • Lower the rule that means the self-employed need at least 50% of their income to come from self-employment, to 20%.
  • Those people who spent time on maternity leave, causing them to receive a smaller SEISS payment, should not have these periods of leave included in future calculations. They should also receive backdated calculations if pay during past rounds of the SEISS was reduced as a result of time spent on maternity leave.

Authors

Torrin Wilkins

Director and Founder

Torrin is the Founder and Director of the Centre. His experience includes authoring over a dozen papers and over one hundred policies. His policies have been backed by an All-Party Parliamentary Group of over 260 MPs and included in various party manifestos. He regularly appears in a wide range of print and broadcast media and previously had a weekly column for a national publication. He also has a degree in Political Studies from Aberystwyth University.

Coverage

A sideways word "THE" in a yellow box. Next to this is the words "YORKSHIRE POST" in black.

Paper provides options to ease anguish of those excluded from Government support

"This enlightened route has been chosen by Centre Think Tank which has compiled a draft white paper which makes the case for expanding the furlough scheme..."
Read More
A sideways word "THE" in a yellow box. Next to this is the words "YORKSHIRE POST" in black.

‘Government must act to help up to 800,000 people who have been refused furlough’

"The Government must take a new approach to help up to 800,000 people who have been refused furlough, according to a think tank".
Read More
A sideways word "THE" in a yellow box. Next to this is the words "YORKSHIRE POST" in black.

Paper provides options to ease anguish of those excluded from Government support

"This enlightened route has been chosen by Centre Think Tank which has compiled a draft white paper which makes the case for expanding the furlough scheme..."
Read More
A sideways word "THE" in a yellow box. Next to this is the words "YORKSHIRE POST" in black.

‘Government must act to help up to 800,000 people who have been refused furlough’

"The Government must take a new approach to help up to 800,000 people who have been refused furlough, according to a think tank".
Read More

Outcomes

APPG recommendation and Treasury response

The proposals in this paper were backed by the Gaps in Support All Party Parliamentary Group, which contained 260 MPs. The Treasury also responded to two of our papers.

Events in London and Liverpool

At two large events, we had speakers discussing this paper alongside campaigners and those affected by the issues.

Parliamentary success

The government did include an additional group in the income support schemes in line with our recommendations. The government moved the cut-off date for when employees needed to be employed by their employer to be eligible for the Job Retention Scheme.

APPG recommendation and Treasury response

The proposals in this paper were backed by the Gaps in Support All Party Parliamentary Group, which contained 260 MPs. The Treasury also responded to two of our papers.

Events in London and Liverpool

At two large events, we had speakers discussing this paper alongside campaigners and those affected by the issues.

Parliamentary success

The government did include an additional group in the income support schemes in line with our recommendations. The government moved the cut-off date for when employees needed to be employed by their employer to be eligible for the Job Retention Scheme.