The furlough scheme was a necessary lifeline that saved millions of jobs, but it added a monumental sum to the national debt.

To tackle this head-on, a system of contribution could be established for those who directly benefited from the payments.

This approach would mirror the student loan system: a small, manageable contribution of 2.5% from earnings. This ensures repayments are always affordable. Crucially, this would be an interest-free contribution, not a tax, directly linking the benefit received with the nation's recovery.

The amount recovered would be substantial, making a significant dent in the debt built up during the pandemic and cutting the bill for ongoing interest payments.

It represents a fair and practical way to ensure the extraordinary costs of the crisis are managed responsibly, strengthening public finances for the future.