Rishi Sunak presented his winter economy plan as a lifeline for workers.
But the Chancellor’s offer of help has come too late and is too little.
Once you strip away the packaging, it is a significant reduction in state support.
As a result, millions of workers still face the grim prospect of redundancy this winter.
The job support scheme is far less generous than billed, with the Government funding just over a fifth of a worker’s wages – and only for the next six months.
This just creates another cliff edge in the New Year, adding to insecurity for staff while failing to give certainty to employers.
Support for self-employed workers has been slashed and there was nothing to plug the gap for those ineligible for the original scheme.
Nor was there anything for those in leisure, hospitality and culture, who stand to lose their jobs through no fault of their own due to the additional lockdown measures.
This is an unprecedented crisis but there was no vision to improve training, invest in new industries or create a green economy.
We needed a Marshall Plan to rescue our economy. We got an offering from Private Pike.
Trace disgrace
The good news is that more than a million have downloaded the tracing app.
The bad news is that millions more are unable to because their phones are out of date.
And the whole thing is worthless unless ministers sort out the testing regime.
Despite the billions being spent on NHS Test and Trace – with billions more promised yesterday – the service has got worse.
Latest figures show the number of people being reached has decreased week on week.
This is a test of Government competence – one they are failing.
Ryan’s buy-in
Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds is looking to invest in a Welsh football club.
Apparently his favourite movies are A Fish Called Rhondda and Last Tango in Powys.
