Mastodawn

There are many aspects of Johnson's government's response to covid that deserve very harsh criticism, but I don't think I want to come down on them too harshly for this one.

They had to get these schemes in place *quickly* and without too much bureaucracy.

Yes, if they'd taken a few months longer to get things set up or made the process more bureaucratic, then I'm sure there would have been less fraud.

But at what cost?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c075vjxyx3no

#Covid19 #Furlough

Covid scheme fraud hit £10.9bn but much 'beyond recovery', report says

The response to the pandemic led to "enormous outlays of public money which exposed it to the risk of fraud and error", a report says.

BBC News

Darren Fower Nov 17

Hell, they're even being expected to pay more in tax, to cover the cost of those who were furloughed and sat on their arses getting paid!
-> Q: Who should pay for furlough? A: Those who got it!
#Covid #KeyWorkers #Covid19 #Furlough #Tax

Eryngium Nov 13

Going back to work after a furlough feels like going back to school after winter break and realizing you forgot your locker combination.

#furlough

💧🌏 Greg Cocks Nov 6

#Shutdown Technical #Homework
--
H/T @giswqs --
As the 'enforced' break from work/office continues, ordered this - and now time to start a technical focus in my home office
#furlough #governmentshutdown #learning #education #GIS #spatial #mapping #opensource #selflearning #study #WFH

NABJ Black News & Views Nov 3

This week, the government shutdown is poised to become the longest in U.S. history. But a number of organizations and elected officials are stepping up to help furloughed federal workers, Sughnen Yongo reports. https://bit.ly/47hLUmB #federalworkers #furlough

jaimedavid327 Nov 1

When Hypotheticals Become Reality: Furloughed Workers Forced Into Second Jobs Just to Survive

I remember when this shutdown first started — I said, half out of frustration and half out of fear, that if this thing went on long enough, furloughed federal workers would eventually have to take on second jobs just to make ends meet. Back then, it was just a hypothetical. A what-if. A warning of how bad things could get if Washington didn’t get its act together. But now, it’s not a hypothetical anymore. It’s reality. And it’s bleak. Across the country, federal workers who were […]

https://theinterfaithintrepidart.com/2025/11/01/when-hypotheticals-become-reality-furloughed-workers-forced-into-second-jobs-just-to-survive/

NABJ Black News & Views Oct 31

"We've felt harassed and devalued most of this year. ... Frustration is high." That is what one furloughed federal worker told BNV as the government shutdown continues. Contributor Sughnen Yongo talked to people and groups trying to ease the pain. https://bit.ly/47hLUmB #furlough

beSpacific Oct 27

How #president #trump expanded his #power without a #government COMMENTARY | When the Trump administration decides it can spend money from any budget account on anything it wants and not spend #appropriated funding, there are no limits to the president's budgetary powers. #congress #shutdown https://www.govexec.com/management/2025/10/how-president-expanded-his-power-without-government/408949/ #maga #politics #ruleoflaw #RIF #federalworkers #furlough #control #democracy #power #government

How the president expanded his power without a government

COMMENTARY | When the Trump administration decides it can spend money from any budget account on anything it wants and not spend appropriated funding, there are no limits to the president's budgetary powers.

Government Executive