THE UK Government has extended the cut-off date for the coronavirus job retention scheme but campaigners say the change doesn't go far enough.

Workers who moved jobs in March couldn't be placed on furlough leave by their new employers as they weren’t on the payroll by Feburary 28.

The eligibility date has now been changed to March 19 and the Treasury says the decision will mean thousands more workers can be furloughed, allowing them to receive 80 per cent of their wages up to £2500.

However, Glasgow woman Jaimelee Rattray, who was due to start her new role on March 30 but now isn't guaranteed a job, said: "Unfortunately this does not help the vast majority of us."

READ MORE: Glasgow woman 'penalised' by furlough scheme loophole calls for change

She is helping to run a Facebook group, with more than 7500 members, which is campaigning for more support for new starters.

Many people who get paid monthly don't get their wages until after March 19, Ms Rattray said, adding: "Therefore this change makes no difference.

"It is being made to look like it benefits far more people than it does.

"Unless you’re paid weekly, which is very few people, this in fact is no change at all."

The Treasury said the date was changed to March 19, the day before the scheme was announced, following a review to ensure it "helps as many people as possible".

"Employers can claim for furloughed employees that were employed and on their PAYE payroll on or before March 19," a statement explained.

"This means that the employee must have been notified to HMRC through a real time information (RTI) submission notifying payment in respect of that employee on or before March 19.

"This change makes the scheme more generous while keeping the substantial fraud risks under control and is expected to benefit over 200,000 employees.

"HMRC have been working at pace to delivering the scheme, which is due to be fully operational next week."

The SNP's leader in Westminster, Ian Blackford MP, said the change "is simply not good enough" while money saving expert Martin Lewis said the revision was "far from a panacea".

Chancellor Rishi Sunak had previously said workers could ask their former employer to take them back on the payroll and furlough them.

But Ms Rattray was turned down by her former employer and can't be furloughed by her new employer despite the change.

She said: "We are continuing to fight for proper change. The change that is being supported by the likes of Ian Blackford and various other politicians, in that proof of genuine employment pre scheme announcement should be accepted.

READ MORE: Thousands demand furlough scheme loophole is closed so people get wages

"The date for being on the payroll and submission by RTI needs to go.

"It takes weeks for many people to get onto their employers' payroll and submission by RTI can be done even after payroll is run."

Ms Rattray, a legal PA, has also said she isn’t entitled to benefits due to her partner’s job as a police officer and, therefore, key worker.

She told the Glasgow Times: "I have worked since I left school aged 16, no breaks in my employment history of 19 years. I am simply being penalised for bettering my job prospects at the wrong time."