Falkirk East MSP demands UK Government extends its furlough scheme to save jobs

Mr MacDonald, who represents the Falkirk East constituency, is calling for Westminster to extend the furlough scheme into 2021 after Germany indicated it will look to extend its version of the scheme to 24 months.

He added, with chains such as Boots, Royal Mail, HSBS and many more across the Falkirk area – who employ hundreds of staff – announcing widescale job losses, a premature end to the furlough scheme in the middle of a global pandemic would be catastrophic to the local economy.

Mr MacDonald said: “In the past few weeks alone we’ve seen businesses such as Boots and Royal Mail announce substantial job loses that could affect staff here in Falkirk East and across Falkirk district.

“In European countries like Germany, reports of an extension to their version of the furlough scheme will come as a welcome relief to millions of workers and businesses who are worried about their future.

“Yet in stark contrast, Westminster is choosing to prematurely shut down our furlough scheme and throw thousands of Scottish jobs on the scrap heap. The jobs and livelihoods of working families here in my constituency of Falkirk East and across the wider Falkirk district are on the line.

“It’s time for the UK government to rethink its catastrophic plans to scrap the furlough scheme early and extend the measures into 2021. If they continue to refuse, then they should let Holyrood have these powers so Scotland can take the action we need to save jobs.”