Will the government extend the furlough scheme?

Despite the 31 October cut-off for the scheme, there have been hints of targeted measures for those who cannot return to work, says Ashley Cowburn

Johnson and his government have been under pressure to extend the Job Retention Scheme (Pool/AFP/Getty)

As Boris Johnson announced some of the most severe restrictions on British public life in peace time from the state dining room of Downing Street in mid-March, Rishi Sunak was standing alongside the prime minister preparing to announce billions of spending.

To coincide with the enforced closure of pubs, bars, restaurants and other social venues, the chancellor, who had been in the role for just over a month, unveiled the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – one of the largest programmes of state intervention in British political history.