BORIS Johnson has refused to commit to extending the furlough scheme to protect tens of thousands of Scottish jobs. 

The Prime Minister, who announced new coronavirus restrictions in England during a statement to Parliament, was urged to give assurances to workers in Scotland.

Scotland’s chief economist, Gary Gillespie, said last week that prolonging the UK-wide furlough programme for eight months could save 61,000 jobs north of the Border.

Ian Blackford appealed for the Prime Minister to extend the jobs security measure, which is due to expire by next month.

The SNP Westminster leader said: “The Prime Minister has changed his mind this morning on working from home. It is now time to change his mind on furlough as well.

“Today I have one question, and it’s a question that 61,000 employees in Scotland are asking. Prime Minister, they deserve certainty, and they deserve an answer. Will this government now save these jobs and extend the furlough scheme beyond October?

“Prime Minister, do not throw workers on the scrap heap through no fault of their own.”

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Johnson, however, was non-committal. He vowed that the UK Government would continue to support businesses but stopped short of a commitment on furlough.

He replied in the Commons “Of course, we will continue to support businesses, we will continue to support people who face challenges because of coronavirus throughout our United Kingdom, and I would remind you that in Scotland alone the Barnett consequentials of the support are now well over £5 billion and across the hold of the UK in the devolved administrations it’s about £12.6 bn.

“We will continue to send that support throughout the whole of the UK to put our arms around the whole of the workforce of the UK, and to protect jobs and livelihoods. But what we also want to see is those businesses continuing and jobs being created.”

Although the number of Scots on furlough has decreased as the economy has reopened, more than 217,000 jobs are still estimated to be supported by the scheme.

HMRC statistics show the programme has so far protected 779,500 Scottish jobs, around 32% of the total Scottish workforce.

Johnson was also asked about furlough by Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross, who said he was satisfied with the Prime Minister's assurance that the UK Government will put its "arms around" workers and businesses once the scheme ends. 

"People across Scotland expect our two Governments to work together and unite," Ross tweeted. "That’s why I was pleased to hear the Prime Minister confirm he will continue to support businesses and livelihoods across the UK as these additional restrictions come into place."