LABOUR'S Shadow Chancellor has warned 75,000 Lancashire workers on coronavirus furlough are at risk of losing their jobs later this year

Anneliese Dodds MP spoke out after hearing employers’ concerns about surviving during an online video-conference with county business bosses.

An analysis by the Labour Party estimates 75,000 Lancashire workers were still furloughed by their employer in late January with a further 42,810 people in the county claiming out of work benefits.

Mrs Dodds is calling for the Chancellor Rishi Sunak to announce an extension to the furlough and reform to make the scheme smarter with new skills training.

She said: “This Covid-19 crisis has been a huge threat to the economy in Lancashire.

“We need urgent action to secure, recover and create jobs to help people still on furlough in Lancashire. This must include a smarter furlough scheme which includes plans for training and upskilling and an overhaul of the failing Kickstart programme.

“People in Lancashire need emergency action today to protect livelihoods and the economy. Last year the government were too late to respond to voices in the north calling for more support, they need to listen now.”

Lancashire County Council Labour group leader, Cllr Azhar Ali, said: “We heard from businesses large and small, manufacturers to micro-breweries, who are all concerned about the coming months."