CINEWORLD was accused by an entertainment union of “a calculated attack” on its workforce today as it cut off their furlough pay two weeks before the scheme officially ends.

Workers of Cineworld and Picturehouse cinemas have been told that they won’t be paid for time worked or on furlough after next week, following the chain’s decision to close 127 sites temporaily.

Cineworld boss Mooky Greidinger emailed workers on Wednesday night to say that their last pay day on October 30 will see them paid  only for shifts and time on furlough up to October 15 — even though the furlough scheme ends on October 31.