The government at Westminster has said that furlough will not be extended for those working in the aviation sector, despite thousands backing the call.
A petition, signed by more than 16,000 people, stressed the delta variant would likely be a further delay to the resumption of international travel and called for the UK government to extend furlough to the sector.
Petitions lodged via the official UK Parliament petitions portal require a written response from government if they receive more than 10,000 signatures.
The Treasury, who responded to the petition, acknowledged the challenges the sector is facing due to the ongoing pandemic, but said it felt its current approach to the furlough scheme “struck a balance between encouraging employees back to work, supporting the economy and protecting incomes”.
The furlough scheme is due to end in October.
Last week, a cross-party group of more than 70 parliamentarians called for an extension of the furlough scheme for those working in travel, tourism and aviation.
In a statement, the Treasury said: “The CJRS [Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme] was designed as a temporary, economy-wide measure to support businesses while widespread restrictions were in place.
“It is right that we ask employers across the economy to contribute more as Covid-19 related restrictions are lifted, in order to strike a balance between encouraging employers to bring employees back to work and continuing to support the economy and protect incomes.
“Of course, the government has shown throughout the pandemic that it is prepared to adapt support if the path of the virus changes. We continue to engage closely with sectors across the economy, including the travel industry, to understand their recovery horizons as the vaccine is rolled out and restrictions ease.”
