Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts is urging the UK Government to commit to increasing the level of support for workers and businesses in Wales ahead of this Friday’s new ‘firebreak’.

The current furlough scheme is due to end on 31 October. Its replacement, the Job Support Scheme, starts on 1 November and will give a lower level of support than originally provided by the furlough scheme.

For the first phase of the furlough scheme, the UK Government paid 80 per cent of workers’ wages, but under the Job Support Scheme it will only pay a maximum of 66 per cent if businesses are forced to close, and 22 per cent if they can open.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak had earlier refused to provide support due to alleged “limitations in HMRC delivery timescales”.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Liz Saville Roberts MP said: “Wales is to go into lockdown on Friday. Scotland, Northern Ireland and regions of north England are already in similar measures.

“Firebreak restrictions in Wales are tailor-made for the health needs of Wales, but the Treasury’s support schemes are based on political considerations and what best serves the south of England.

“Will he commit to bringing forward the Job Support Scheme by eight days – only eight days – and to increasing the level of support to that of the first furlough scheme, so that more people in Wales can afford to stay safe?”

Following the session, Mrs Saville Roberts said: “A firebreak gives us the opportunity to buy more time to build up a resilient test, trace and isolate system.

"But for that to work, the UK Government must also do its part by giving appropriate financial support.

“It begs the question, would the Chancellor allow people and the businesses in the south of England to go without further support faced with such measures?

“This is a question of fairness. The people of Wales rightly expect their sacrifices to be backed up with appropriate financial support, so I urge the UK Government to change course.”