Coronavirus: Victoria Beckham in U-turn over furloughing staff during lockdown

Victoria Beckham has had a major u-turn over her decision to furlough her staff during the lockdown.

The 46-year-old faced major backlash after it emerged that she would be putting 25 members of her fashion label staff on the government scheme, and forgoing her own salary, in a bid to help her business survive.

And, a spokesperson at Victoria Beckham has confirmed that she will no longer using the ‘government’s assistance’, and instead is ‘navigating’ through the pandemic without it.

A statement shared with Metro.co.uk read: ’Victoria Beckham Ltd has been working hard to protect its people and, while adjusting to the impact of Covid-19 and the government lockdown, our decision to furlough a small number of our staff seemed the most appropriate option in keeping with many other businesses. 

‘The situation is dynamic, and, with the support of our shareholders, we now believe we can navigate through this crisis without drawing from the government furlough scheme. 

‘Our application was made in the best interests of trying to protect our staff, and that is still our absolute focus.

‘We are doing everything we can to ensure we can achieve that without using government assistance.’

Discussing the move, Victoria insisted the welfare of her staff will always come first.

‘We will not now be drawing on the government furlough scheme,’ the Spice Girl star old the Guardian.

‘At the beginning of the lockdown the shareholders agreed with senior management to furlough a small proportion of staff. At that point we didn’t know how long the lockdown might last or its likely impact on the business. 

‘The welfare of my team and our business means everything to me.’

Victoria was met with a wave of fury for looking to the government for help with her business – after offering staff ‘enhanced packages’ and giving up her own pay.

And insider claimed at the time that the mum-of-four was left ‘upset’ by the ‘unfair’ backlash.

‘Victoria’s telling friends that despite it being her birthday, it’s been the “worst week”,’ they told the Sun.

‘She’s really upset and doesn’t think it’s fair she’s getting slammed for something a lot of companies and businesses are doing.

‘She thinks it’s unfair and had no idea the backlash would be this bad.’

Piers Morgan was among those publicly sharing their anger towards her actions in a rant on Good Morning Britain.

‘Sorry, this furlough scheme was not for primadonna multi-millionaires like you two,’ he fumed. ’Running a famed vanity business that makes no money.

‘If you’re going to go on national TV and say the NHS really means something to you, then why don’t you dip in your own pockets, rather than the taxpayer pockets? As the taxpayer’s pockets should be going to the NHS.’

However, money-saving expert Martin Lewis later jumped to Victoria’s defence, insisting that furloughing staff should not be seen as a ‘bad’ move.