Victoria Beckham Will Pay Staff During Lockdown

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BUSINESS

* The company has refused government money and will foot the furlough bill itself.

LONDON - Victoria Beckham Ltd. has had a change of heart and will turn down emergency aid from the British government, paying furloughed employees out of the company's coffers.

The company had placed more than 30 employees, or about 25 percent of its workforce, on furlough after the government announced a series of lockdown measures for businesses last month.

As part of its package to keep the economy afloat, the government had promised to pay up to 80 percent of salaried workers' monthly wages for a maximum of 2,500 pounds, if employers promised not to lay people off.

VBL had initially applied for the furlough funding and immediately drew the ire of the British press, which savaged Beckham and her company over the decision. Papers including The Daily Mail pointed out that she is a multimillionaire and should not be taking government money.

A VBL spokesperson said Thursday that the company has been working hard to protect its people during the pandemic, "and, while adjusting to the...