BARROW residents will face an impossible choice between their health and their income when the furlough scheme comes to an end next month.

This according to borough council leader Ann Thomson who, along with her colleagues at the town hall, is pressing for a Number 10 rethink on the withdrawal of financial aid for residents.

The Barrow Borough Council leader has signed a campaign petition along with 1,000 other Labour councillors and officials, including MPs, urging Prime Minister Boris Johnson reconsider plans to scrap the furlough scheme.

The scheme has helped millions of workers impacted by the crisis, but will come to an end at the end of October.

Councillors have signed the petition, along with former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

Barrow's council leader said a large number of jobs will be put at risk in Barrow and Furness if the Prime Minister doesn't re-think his plans, and she added people deserve continued help for sacrifices they have made.

She said: "If Boris Johnson pushes ahead with his plans to make a blanket withdrawal of furlough many jobs across Barrow and Furness will be put at risk. Businesses will struggle to survive. Our residents will face an impossible choice between their income and their health.

“That is why we need targeted support for businesses worst hit by the pandemic, cover for those areas which fall under local lockdown restrictions; and the certainty of income for people who are forced to self-isolate, including those who are self-employed.

“Our residents have made enormous sacrifices throughout this terrible pandemic - we now need Boris Johnson to step up and give hard-working people the security they need.”