Government secretary has a stern message for Mike Ashley and Newcastle United

Newcastle United placed a number of staff on furlough leave last month, with Tottenham and Liverpool having done similar before retracing their decisions.

But with Mike Ashley looking unlikely to reverse his decision, Dowden has warned that owners should only utilise the scheme as a ‘last resort’ and that the decision will not be received well.

“I just think they need to think carefully about whether they really need to take advantage of this,' he said on Tuesday

“This scheme is designed for struggling businesses to make sure, if they are faced with the position where they have to make staff redundant, rather than making them redundant they furlough them on 80% of their wages so they can bring them back when business picks up.

“So football clubs should only be using it as a last resort, I think the fans and the public at large are going to take a pretty dim view if they're not using it except in the last resort.

“I've made that pretty clear, this scheme wasn't designed for the people who have millionaire players and billionaire owners, people should take responsibility, clubs should take responsibility.”

Dowden was also quizzed on when football may return, and confirmed the government are working with footballing bodies to ensure football can return once safe to do so.

"In response to future events, we are working with the relevant sporting organisations to understand their plans," he said, speaking to BBC Radio Four.

"They have to do it consistent with the scientific evidence and we are helping them to understand whether it is possible for events to go ahead.

"For example, I've had conversations with the Premier League and others. But we have been clear throughout all of it that the Government will not consent to events taking place unless we can be sure it is safe to do so."