Thousands of jobs have been axed across the UK high street as the government starts to wind down its £25bn furlough scheme that has kept millions of workers employed during the pandemic.
As Prime Minister Boris Johnson told MPs on Wednesday lunchtime that his government would “build, build, build and deliver jobs, jobs, jobs”, further losses were being announced by retailers John Lewis, Harrods and Philip Green’s Arcadia Group, as companies continue to fight for survival.
Up to 5,000 job cuts were disclosed on Wednesday morning by SSP Group, the travel food retailer behind outlets such as Upper Crust and Caffè Ritazza. Thousands more were put in danger on Tuesday at retailers including TM Lewin, Bensons for Beds and Harveys.