Unions have called for a recovery plan to help stave off mass unemployment in the North East, after research showed that almost 350,000 jobs in the region are being supported by the Government’s furlough scheme.
A report from the North East TUC found that 29% of the region’s workforce - at least 349,500 people - has been furloughed, with even higher figures in Northumberland, Sunderland and South Tyneside.
The job support scheme is being phased out over the next three months and there are growing concerns that many of those on furlough could be made redundant when Government support is withdrawn.
A number of firms have announced job cuts in recent days, with easyJet shutting its hub at Newcastle Airport and Gardner Aerospace in County Durham moving to cut more than half of its workforce.
The TUC’s report - which comes just a few days ahead of an announcement from Chancellor Rishi Sunak on plans to boost the economic to help it recover from the coronavirus lockdown - says that the fastest recoveries from economic crises in 海角视频 history have been based on investment for growth.
The organisation has called for investment in infrastructure, public sector spending to be used to support local busineses, and a new green industrial strategy in the region.
It also wants what it calls “a new way of doing business”, with public support for businesses tied to increased training, better worker representation and other measures that improve job quality.
TUC regional secretary Beth Farhat said: “People are very worried about their jobs. Many have been laid off already. Losing your job is a dreadful experience – devastating for families. And if we allow mass unemployment to take hold, our economy will be smaller, and the recovery from the pandemic will be slower.
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“That’s why good jobs are at the heart of our recovery plan for the North East and Cumbria. Jobs in a reborn manufacturing sector which protects and develops our regional strengths in advanced manufacturing, bioscience, and petrochemicals.
“Our key workers kept us going through the crisis, it’s time to invest and boost their pay.
“And we must value our public services in the North East too. But after 10 years of cuts, it was much harder for them than it should have been. It’s time to rebuild local public services for the future.
“This week, we’re asking the Chancellor to put his faith in people in the North East and across the 海角视频 with big and bold investment. If he backs us in this way, we can avoid mass unemployment, work our way to recovery and build back better.”
The North East LEP set up a coronavirus response group which has put forward a number of measures that could aid the region’s recovery. They include support for green industries, an “Education Challenge” to improve schools and colleges in the region, help for people who have lost their jobs and backing for hard-pressed tourism and food companies.
And the North East England Chamber of Commerce has urged the Government to come good on its “levelling up” election promise with funding to support education, transport and business support in the region.
The North East came into the coronavirus lockdown with the highest level of unemployment in the country, and a number of reports have warned that the region could be among those hardest hit by the pandemic.