There is still wide support among SMEs for an extension to the government’s furlough scheme, according to Bibby Financial Services (BFS).

Edward Winterton, UK CEO of BFS, said the government needs to extend the furlough scheme urgently and ensure that targeted support is available to those sectors who have been worst hit.

He said: “As the government’s furlough scheme begins to wind down, and businesses are asked to contribute to the salaries of staff making use of the scheme, the situation for SMEs across the country is going to get harder.

“Our latest research found that over half of the UK’s SMEs have seen their payment times increase by more than three weeks, adding further pressure to cash flow. The reality is that if the business case for bringing staff back to the office was there, it would have already been acted upon, but to date just 35% of businesses have brought back staff from furlough.

“Keeping the country healthy is obviously a key concern but the 1m+ distancing guidelines have left over a quarter of businesses unable to operate normally, and nearly a third with reduced capacity to take on new business.

“As highlighted by the Treasury Select Committee’s report on the economic impact of the pandemic, the key to rebuilding the economy is targeted support to ensure that viable businesses survive. This is a balancing act, and we cannot expect SME owners to flick a switch and return to pre-pandemic levels of productivity.

“There are solutions available to businesses to better manage cash flow, and secure future growth, but ending the furlough scheme isn’t enough to bring SMEs back to work.”

The survey found that 16% of SMEs want the furlough scheme extended and 11% will make redundancies if the scheme is not extended.