SIR KEIR STARMER accused Boris Johnson of being “tin-eared” over future job losses today, after the Prime Minister failed to pledge sufficient support when the Covid-19 furlough scheme ends next month.

During Prime Minister’s Questions, the Labour leader said that he supported fines, which came into force yesterday, on households mixing indoors in the north-east.

But he warned that masses of jobs were at risk due to the 10pm curfew imposed earlier this month for hospitality venues in England, with 10,000 jobs at stake in Newcastle alone.

Sir Keir pressed Mr Johnson on why the government had deemed many jobs in hospitality to be unviable for support, as Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s new programme to replace the job retention scheme on November 1 will help only those still in work.

The Labour leader asked: “Can the economic support go in for those who will lose their jobs?

“There are 10,000 people that want an answer to this question because they’re going to lose their jobs by Christmas.

“The reality is the Chancellor has made a political choice to reduce economic support just when the new health restrictions are coming in.”

Mr Johnson responded: “As I’ve said repeatedly, we’re putting our arms around the whole of the [British] economy, we will do everything we can to save every job.”

Tightened restrictions currently apply to Northumberland, Newcastle, Gateshead, North and South Tyneside, Sunderland and County Durham. 

Those ignoring the restrictions are liable to be fined £200 – halved if paid within 14 days – with a £400 penalty for a second offence, and doubling for each subsequent offence up to a maximum of £6,400.

While households are banned from mixing indoors, mixing outdoors in groups of up to six people is not illegal but discouraged, the government has said.