More radical action needed by Government as nation stares in the face of catastrophic recession

"Ministers must take immediate action to save jobs and livelihoods as the true economic impact of Covid-19 comes to light", the Newcastle Liberal Democrats lead on business and jobs, Cllr Robin Ashby, said as latest figures show the UK economy faces the worst recession in its history,:

"The Treasury must explain how it is going to stop mass redundancies when the furlough scheme wraps up. It simply cannot be the case that jobs saved in Spring disappear in the autumn. The Chancellor of the Exchequer must also be bold about creating new jobs by undertaking a proper ambitious green recovery.

"The Prime Minister must immediately work with EU allies to remove the January Brexit cliff edge. A bad deal or no deal at all with our closest trading partners whilst we are in such a deep recession will add insult to injury in our economy and cost tens of thousands of breadwinners their jobs, especially in the north east, the poorest of the English regions."