LONDON - Almost half British companies expect to furlough 50% or more of their workforce, a survey by the British Chambers of Commerce showed on Thursday, underlining demand for government support as the world’s fifth-largest economy grinds to a halt.
Britain promised hundreds of billions of pounds in support for businesses during an enforced lockdown of the population to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. The survey showed 44% expect to furlough at least half their workers within a week, and 32% were expect to furlough between three-quarters and all their workforce.
BCC Director General Adam Marshall said that while the scale of the support was welcome, it was urgent that the promised funds find their way to struggling companies quickly.The BCC data showed just under a fifth of firms reported having less than a month’s cash in reserve, and 44% said they had 1 to 3 months’ cash set aside.