Our European friends have seen the potential danger of forcing people back into work over the winter months, as well as the huge economic downside of pushing more and more people into unemployment and have very sensibly decided to extend the furlough scheme.
We in Scotland do not have the economic powers necessary to implement our own furlough scheme so putting pressure on the Prime Minister is our only option.
I was disappointed that he didn’t even engage with the question. He chose to use the ill-advised choice of words about putting his ‘arms around the workers’ while providing no detail that will be of comfort to the many facing unemployment and hardship in East Lothian.