FURLOUGH could be brought back if further restrictions are imposed to tackle Omicron, insiders claim.
Ministers are being urged to guarantee support for staff and employers in case their businesses have to shut.
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The Sun today reveals secret plans for pubs and restaurants to shut in the coming weeks if the mutant strain brings hospitals to their knees.
It has sparked jitters that millions could find themselves out of work unless Rishi Sunak once again conjures up financial help.
Downing Street last month ruled out once again bankrolling people’s wages at enormous expense.
But a Treasury source has now told The Times: “That could mean a return to the furlough scheme but depending on what, if any, further restrictions are necessary there might be other ways of providing that support.”
Billions were spent from March 2020 to last October paying the wages of Brits whose firms were forced to close.
In the final few months employers were gradually asked to start footing more of the bill.
Reviving the furlough scheme would take another huge hit to the government coffers but could avert an unemployment crisis.
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Business rates relief and grants were also doled out during the pandemic.
Senior Tory MP Damian Collins this morning urged the Chancellor to consider more support measures if Plan B rolls on into the New Year.
He told the BBC: “If these are longer term restrictions then of course we would have to look at things like business support measures.”
Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford are also demanding Westminster fork out for greater support measures.
Treasury officials said they’re nowhere near relaunching furlough just yet, but would always look at new measures in case the outbreak spiralled.
A Treasury spokesman said: “We’re taking the action set out in our Winter Plan and are acting early to help control the virus’s spread – while avoiding unduly damaging economic and social restrictions.
“Our £400bn covid support package will continue to help businesses into spring next year and we will continue to respond proportionately to the changing path of the virus, as we have done since the start of the pandemic.”
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