Stella McCartney becomes latest celeb to furlough ‘hurt’ staff and will use taxpayers’ cash to pay salaries
STELLA McCartney has become the latest millionaire celeb to use taxpayer cash to furlough her staff during the coronavirus crisis.
The fashion designer - worth around £60million - has also reportedly asked some of her employees to take a pay cut if they continue working.
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She will use taxpayer money offered under the Government bailout scheme to help pay staff salaries in a similar move to fellow designer Victoria Beckham, reports.
One employee told the website: "What she has done is morally wrong and socially unacceptable.
"We had all expected much more from Stella, but she has shown no loyalty. She prides herself on social credentials, but we have just been dumped."
'NO LOYALTY'
Under Chancellor Rishi Sunak's plans, firms can claim up to 80 per cent of wages to a maximum of £2,500.
But unlike Beckham, who has sacrificed her own salary, it is understood McCartney, 48, has told her staff there are no plans to top up their wages with her own cash.
Staff at her two London flagship stores have received letters informing them about the furlough plans, while shops in New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas have also been forced to close under coronavirus lockdown.
An insider told the website up to half the 1,400 employees at 51 stores worldwide were being placed on furlough.
McCartney - daughter of Beatle Paul - is the sole owner of her company, with the brand seeing a turnover of more than £500million a year.
£500M TURNOVER
Her clothes are worn by a host of celebs - including Meghan Markle, who wore an evening gown designed by McCartney for the reception of the royal wedding.
A spokesman told MailOnline not all staff had been placed on furlough and refused to comment on salary cuts for staff.
It comes after The Sun revealed Victoria's plans as her flagship store in Hong Kong faces closure and she focuses her attentions on her fledgling beauty brand.
A source said: “Like many, Victoria has reluctantly had to furlough staff members. It wasn’t a decision she took lightly but, for the long-term stability and profitability of the company, it had to be done.
“She has been personally keeping all her team involved with emails the whole way through, and has put all of the staff involved on enhanced furlough packages.
“She has even forgone her own salary in order to lead from the front.
“Although she is still passionate about fashion, Victoria will really be focusing her efforts on the beauty side now. Overheads for the online business are low, and it’s really beginning to flourish.”
But she was slammed by Piers Morgan today for using the government scheme as her family is reportedly worth around £335million.
In response to a Grazia video showing Victoria introducing Elton John for the Together At Home concert, Piers launched a scathing attack on her.
He said: "Sorry, but this makes me puke. If you care this much about the NHS, @victoriabeckham - then why are you taking taxpayer money the NHS desperately needs - and you DON'T need - to furlough your staff & prop up your failing business."
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