Chesham and Amersham MP Dame Cheryl Gillan has asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to give a 'clear message' on the extension to the Job Retention Scheme.

Rt Hon Dame Cheryl Gillan today, May 12, spoke for thousands of employees who work for British Airways to the Chancellor of the Exchequer requesting he sent the airline a clear message to remove all threats of redundancy following his extension to the Job Retention Scheme.

Ms Gillan said: "Many of my constituents in Chesham and Amersham work for British Airways, who despite furloughing nearly 23,000 staff have been threatening to make over 12,000 staff redundant.

"Can he send a clear message to British Airways today that with this extension they should now remove all threat of redundancy which has been adding to the anxiety and stress of so many of their hard working and in many cases long serving staff.”

Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, the Chancellor, replied: “My Rt Hon Friend is right to advocate and support her constituents employed by those in the airline industry and she is right to urge employers to do the right thing at this difficult time.

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"The Government have provided considerable support to companies to help them get through this crisis and she knows what will benefit her constituents and I will continue to support her in those efforts and make sure we protect as many of those jobs as possible.”

The Government’s coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will now remain open until the end of October.

Until the end of July, workers will continue to receive 80 per cent of their current salary, up to £2,500 a month.

From the start of August, the scheme will be more flexible, and furloughed workers will be able to return to work part-time with employers being asked to contribute towards some of the costs of their salaries.