Anneliese Dodds responds to OBR analysis of coronavirus response

Anneliese Dodds MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, responding to OBR analysis of coronavirus response, said:

“This OBR analysis is very worrying. Unless the Government takes urgent action, the UK’s unemployment crisis is going to get much worse.

“The Chancellor must now listen to calls from Labour, business and trade unions and make the Job Retention Scheme live up to its name. Instead of withdrawing support across the piece, he must target it to sectors where it’s needed most.

“If he doesn’t act, even more people run the risk of being thrown into the misery of unemployment and our economy will continue to suffer.”

Ends

Notes to Editors

·       OBR budget watchdog sees response costs topping £192bn https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-obr-budget-watchdog-sees-response-costs-topping-192bn-12028170

·       Unemployment predicted to hit 8.8pc this year. The Office for Budget responsibility predicts unemployment will hit 8.8pc this year – equivalent to 3m unemployed people – as a results of the coronavirus crisis, noting that total hours worked already slumped more than forecast in March due to furloughing. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2020/07/14/markets-live-latest-coronavirus-news-pound-euro-ftse-100/