Ripping The A**e Out Of Furlough

Whistleblower It felt morally wrong to be working while on furlough. Staff say royal-approved firm claimed subsidy cash while still making them work. Employees quit as Scots coronavirus test centre business is reported to HMRC. Workers blast firm for allegedly pocketing Government cash despite keeping them in job

- Mark Mcgivern

RAGING staff have blasted a firm behind Covid test marquees for allegedly making them work while it pocketed furlough cash.

A whistleblower reported Purvis Marquees to HMRC after the job took its toll.

A ROYALLY-approved company that built coronavirus test centres has been reported to HMRC for allegedly claiming furlough cash while employees were made to work.

Two members of staff left Purvis Marquees, which erected several Covid test centres during lockdown, due to stress caused by the situation.

The Ingliston-based firm holds a Royal Warrant, which it proudly boasts of on its website, and has undertaken work at Buckingham Palace, Balmoral and Holyrood.

Former foreman Ashley Walton, who resigned amid the fallout from the furlough row, claims he was paid just 80 per cent of wages for the hours he worked. His claims are backed up by other workers.

Ashley, 40, sent his claims to HMRC via a special whistleblower service, which has received many complaints from concerned UK workers.

It is believed that many millions of pounds have been bled from public coffers as firms claimed rescue package cash but continued to expect employees to work.

Ashley provided the Daily Record with pay slips, timesheets and photographs to back up his claims, which relate to work carried out even before flexi-furlough was introduced last July, which would have allowed staff to work part of the week.