The Liberal Democrats are urging the government to continue furlough support until it is safe and extend support to those who have so far been excluded.

Acting leader Ed Davey MP is asking the public to join the party's campaign to protect workers.

He warned that the government must not "undo the work and threaten mass unemployment."

Job retention scheme in Richmond

According to government statistics published last week, 14,000 people in Richmond Park have benefited from the job retention scheme.

And a further 4,100 people are receiving financial support through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, following a successful campaign by the Liberal Democrats.

Richmond Park MP Sarah Olney said: "We have all heard countless heart-breaking stories about people who lost their livelihoods overnight as a result of the coronavirus crisis, including here in Richmond Park.

"It is simply unacceptable so many people in need are excluded from support for unjust reasons.

"The government should listen to Liberal Democrat plans to protect jobs and ensure no one is left behind."

Lack of support for self-employed

The Lib Dems say some of the worst hit are the country's self-employed workers, three million of whom are still not covered by government support.

Mr Davey said: "It is clear that the job retention scheme has helped stem the tide of job losses.

"The Chancellor must not undo the work and threaten mass unemployment by ending the scheme before it is safe to do so.

"Instead, now is the time to extend support to those wrongly excluded and for Ministers to deliver a Green Recovery Plan that will create millions of jobs, keep people in work and tackle climate change."

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