NICOLA Sturgeon has, for the third day in a row, called for clarity over the terms of any furlough extension for Scotland.

The First Minister was clearly exasperated as she addressed Holyrood's Covid committee, telling them it still wasn't clear if workers in any future Scottish lockdown would be eligible for the same 80% pay as workers in England's lockdown.

“It's really important that we get that clarity because it is important for planning purposes but frankly it's really important for individuals across the country who are worried about their jobs and their wages," she said.

Her plea came after Treasury sources told the Times that Chancellor Rishi Sunak had been bounced into the commitment.  

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon demands answers after Tory minister backtracks on PM's furlough vow

They told the paper: "It has huge consequences, both for England and the Union."

Sources said that while the details were still being refined, the Chancellor wanted the “mechanics ironed out” before it was brought to the public.  

The vow that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would have access to furlough payments beyond the scheduled end of England’s lockdown on December 2, has been mired in confusion ever since it was offered on Monday.

It came in a lengthy session where Johnson refused several times to answer questions about when Scotland might be able to access the furlough cash.

It was only when Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross asked that Johnson seemed to go further. 

“The furlough scheme is a UK-wide scheme,” the Prime Minister said. 

“If other parts of the UK decide to go into measures which require the furlough scheme, then of course it’s available to them, that has to be right. And that applies not just now, but, of course, in the future as well.”

There has, however, been little else beyond that answer. 

One of the key details the Scottish Government is seeking is over the level of support. Will any money be available to workers at the original level of 80% of wages, or will it be cut to 67%, the level in the Job Support Scheme.

Sturgeon has said the answer could be key in planning any future Scottish lockdown. 

The First Minister told MSPs: “We have a commitment on the face of it from the Prime Minister that the extended furlough, the 80% furlough that is in place for November as a result of England's lockdown. will continue for other parts of the UK beyond that should it be necessary. 

“And that's how the Prime Minister's commitment was interpreted. But the words 80% have never been used as far as I can see by any UK government minister so far.

“So that's the detail that we need to press. If you look at the Prime Minister's statement, like many statements - and I'm sure it can be said about statements I make from time to time - it's capable of a number of different interpretations. 

“I don't have it in front of me exactly but at the most minimum, it said Scotland will continue to get the benefit of a furlough scheme, well that bit was never in doubt, we've always known there would be a continuation, a replacement for the existing furlough. 

“The key thing is what terms that is on. Is that on the eligibility criteria that will be in place for November, and at 80%?

“That bit is really crucial and we do not yet have clarity from the Treasury on that.

“It's really important that we get that clarity because it is important for planning purposes but frankly it's really important for individuals across the country who are worried about their jobs and their wages. 

“If you take somebody on the National Living Wage, the difference between 80% and 67% is significant, it's almost £200 a month. 

“These are real issues for people so I'm hoping the clarity will come in the course of today, but then if I'd been sitting here yesterday morning I would have said that I hoped it would come in the course of yesterday and it didn't. I live in hope.”

There was even more confusion yesterday when Communities Minister Robert Jenrick appeared to renege on Johnson’s commitment. 

READ MORE: UK Government in 'chaos' as Tory ministers dodge Scots furlough questions

Speaking on Sky News, the Tory was asked if that "promise" had been a "cast-iron guarantee".

He said: "I think what the Prime Minister said yesterday - excuse me for repeating myself – was that we'll continue to provide the financial support that Scotland needs, so that the Scottish people get the benefits of being part of the union, that only being part of the union can provide - and that includes the furlough scheme, which is a UK-wide scheme.

"It will be available to everybody in the United Kingdom, until the 2nd of December.

"At that point I think the Chancellor quite rightly will have to decide what its future is."

Later, in the Commons, former Tory Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, called for clarity, accusing the SNP of exploiting the confusion to create a “grievance” narrative.

However, Steve Barclay, Treasury chief secretary, only added to the confusion.

“Furlough has always been a UK-wide scheme. The government will always be there to provide support for all parts of the UK,” Barclay said.