THE Government’s decision to extend the nation’s furlough scheme for months has divided Gazette readers.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the scheme will be extended to September.

The Chancellor said the reason why he had extended furlough and other support past June 21, when all coronavirus restrictions are expected to have been lifted, is in order to give businesses an “extra cushion”.

Following the Budget speech, Gazette readers voiced their differing opinions on the extension.

Andy White said people seem to “forget” all the furlough money has to be paid back in one way or another.

He added: “It’s not free, believe me it’s going to be a broke UK soon if it has not borrowed too much already - people will have to pay it back.”

The Office for Budget Responsibility predicts Government borrowing will soar to £355billion in 2020/21.

Reader Stephen Mann said: “Extending furlough is good in terms of those it will help, but I do really wonder how we’ll pay for this - just who do we owe all this money to if all other countries are in the same boat?”

Reader Tom Anderson said it is better to run the furlough scheme for longer than needed, than to shorten it and let people lose their livelihoods.

Rosie Appleton added: “I think it’s more to help businesses make the right decision when it comes to keeping people on.

“Lots of people lost their jobs in October because they thought the scheme was ending.”

Roxy Russell said companies are not going to want to “throw all of the staff straight back to work and make the workplace too crowded”.

“This extension allows for people to be slowly introduced to work again so we don’t start spreading Covid again,” she said.

Rach Wheelhouse added: “I think furlough is great, but I also think those who have worked all the way through the pandemic should be rewarded as well.”