SNP's Ian Blackford warns UK heading for a 'winter of discontent' unless furlough job support is extended

Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s new job support scheme, claiming that their sector feels “ignored” by both the plans and the government.Announced last Friday (October 9) and set to launch on November 1, the scheme will benefit employees who work for UK firms that are forced to shut by law due to coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

BBC is run in Scotland.The four politicians made five demands in an angry backlash at "editorial balance" going back to what they claim was bias in the independence referendum.A letter to the broadcaster and the UK Government was signed by Scotland's former justice secretary Kenny MacAskill and his Westminster colleagues Angus MacNeil, Douglas Chapman and Neale Hanvey.However, the letter, published in The National newspaper, quickly provoked a split in the party.

Rishi Sunak announced today.The furlough scheme comes into forced from November, which is after the new round of hospitality closures in Scotland.Sunak said the new plan offers a safety net over what could be a "difficult winter".The UK Government will pay two thirds of wages of staff in pubs, restaurants and other business if they have to shut under new coronavirus restrictions.Devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will benefit from a £1.3bn increase to agreed funding

hereThe announcement will come as new figures showed the pace of the UK’s economic recovery has slowed considerably, with GDP up 2.1 per cent in August, less than half of what economists had forecast.Sources were saying it was wrong to describe the new package as a local furlough scheme, which some have urged the government to develop.The furlough scheme, which supported millions of workers and prevented further job losses, will cease at the end of the month.It will be replaced by the less

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) announced that 465 jobs at Manchester Airport would be axed.

Halloween range.  Paul Marsters has warned that deadly demons could be released by the devices if they are in the hands of anyone but spiritual mediums. The ghost hunter, who is a member of True Paranormal Events UK, said he was "gobsmacked" when he saw the spirit board on sale for £1 in his local budget store.

drugs crisis should be declared a public health emergency and addicts treated with “compassion”, a Scottish MP has told the Commons.SNP MP Tommy Sheppard issued a plea for UK ministers to “see the wisdom” in decriminalising the possession of small quantities of drugs for personal use and taking a treatment-based approach to the abuse problem.The Edinburgh East MP was speaking as he introduced a 10-minute rule Bill which aims to reform legislation to allow safe consumption rooms that the Daily

Andreas Wiseman International EditorLondon’s Twickenham Studios has appointed Warner Bros De Lane Lea Director Cara Sheppard as MD.Sheppard will be tasked with guiding all aspects of production, post-production and emerging technology and developing the studio’s ties with UK, Hollywood and international clients.Sheppard spent four years at post house De Lane Lea, where she oversaw a fully serviced production Digital Dailies offering and new facility and the studio’s dark fibre capability.

Brexit after the Scottish Government formally urged MSPs to reject the UK Government’s Internal Markets Bill. Mike Russell said the controversial bill, which Tory Ministers admit would break international law, was a “defining moment” for the constitution.

Our Politics newsletter is now daily.

job losses to soar with their replacement for the furlough scheme, the SNP has claimed.

SNP MP attacked the party's ruling body in a row over personal vendettas in candidate selection. Joanna Cherry said some of the National Executive Committee should be sacked at a vote during the SNP's annual conference next month.

Jake Kanter International TV EditorHappy Friday and welcome to the latest edition of International Insider. Jake Kanter here, bringing you everything that’s worth knowing about the past week in global film and TV.Déjà vu: If there was any lingering optimism that the UK could avoid a second wave of coronavirus, events this week will surely have washed away these hopes.

Rishi Sunak has today announced the new Job Support Scheme that will replace furlough.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has outlined additional UK Government support to provide certainty to businesses and workers across the country impacted by coronavirus after the furlough scheme ends next month.The furlough scheme was introduced in March and paid 80 per cent of the salaries of nearly 12 million employees unable to work because of coronavirus and subsequent lockdown and will end on October 31.Since the beginning of the pandemic, the UK Government has provided over £190 billion of support -

Andreas Wiseman International EditorUK union Bectu has called on the government to provide the culture and entertainment sector with further support in coming months after its announcement yesterday of additional COVID-19 restrictions, which could stretch to six months.Head of Bectu Philippa Childs, responding to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s statement, said: “Theatres and live events are already on the brink – a further six months potentially without audiences could be the final nail in the