Rishi Sunak, the former Prime Minister and Chancellor during the COVID-19 crisis, has highlighted the importance of the furlough scheme as an instrument that helped prevent widespread unemployment. According to Sunak, the absence of a predetermined plan or ’playbook’ for such a global event necessitated adaptive policies and measures to support the economy and workforce. The furlough program allowed companies to retain their employees by subsidizing wages, thereby avoiding mass layoffs during periods of economic disruption caused by the pandemic. Sunak emphasized that, despite its limitations and imperfections, the program played a significant role in stabilizing employment figures and providing economic relief during an uncertain time. The scheme’s flexibility and scale were key components in managing the immediate impact of the crisis, although ongoing assessments continue to evaluate its long-term effects and efficiency. This approach, tailored to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, reflects the necessity for agility in economic policymaking when facing unforeseen challenges.