Rishi Sunakhas announced the government’s new plan to protect jobs as the UK suffers a second surge in COVID-19 cases.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday (24 September), The Chancellor informed his fellow MPs about a winter economy plan – designed to keep the country afloat whilst preventing mass unemployment.
The new package, created to help Britain through a “permanent adjustment”, will replace furlough and top up wages for employees.
According to Sunak, the Job Support Scheme will directly support the wages of people in work, giving businesses the option of keeping employees in a job on shorter hours rather than making them redundant.
Rules state that employees must work at least a third of their usual hours and be paid for that work by their employer.
The government will increase those people’s wages covering two-thirds of pay they’ve lost by reducing their working hours. The employee will keep their job.
All small and medium-sized businesses are eligible, and the scheme will run for six months, starting in November.
Treasury
Sunak stated: “I know people are anxious and afraid and exhausted… I share those feelings but there are reasons to be cautiously optimistic.
“We now know more about this virus. We have seen three consecutive months of growth [in the economy], and millions of people have moved off the furlough and back to work.
“Our task now is to move to the next stage of the economic plan; nurturing recovery and protecting jobs through the difficult winter months.”
The UK found itself riding the crest of a second wave of cases just as the government’s furlough scheme was set to end on October 31.
Sunak’s first job protection package – launched during the onset of the pandemic – had allowed businesses to claim back 80% of their employees’ wages during a period when the country plunged into a recession.
Millions of workers in the UK are still currently supported via furlough, and there had been great concern about the scheme’s impending conclusion.
Originally created to cover wages until the summer, the programme was extended by a further four months in May as the pandemic continued to wreak havoc on businesses.
Sunak had previously expressed reluctance to keep the programme running beyond autumn, but confirmed earlier this week that the government had plans to “continue protecting jobs“.
As our response to coronavirus adapts, tomorrow afternoon I will update the House of Commons on our plans to continue protecting jobs through the winter. pic.twitter.com/eP6aqcocxd
This week also saw the confirmed scrapping of the Autumn Budget – where the Chancellor ordinarily reveals the condition of, and plans for, the national economy.
Major spending decisions are now being placed on hold until 2021.
News
Jet2 and Greggs is offering Mancs the chance to win a luxury holiday for the price of a sausage roll
Jet2 has teamed up with Greggs to announce a new competition where you can win a holiday for the price of a sausage roll.
If you didn’t know by now, ‘Nothing beats a Jet2 Holiday’, and as the British budget airline launches its latest collaboration where you can win a holiday for the same price as a sausage roll, we’d say that’s pretty accurate.
Fancy laying down in the scorching heat and baking yourself just like a trusty Greggs sausage roll? Well it’s a good thing these two iconic companies have teamed up then, because now you can do just that.
Jet2 and Greggs are giving away a three-night all-inclusive holiday to Marbella for the same price as everyone’s flaky-pastry favourite priced at £1.30.
In a video shared to social media, internet personalities Charley Marlowe and Luke Hamnett announced this brand-new offer in an extremely on-brand way.
The video sees the pair taking on very different roles, quite literally, as Hamnett dresses as a sausage roll while Marlowe tries her hand as a cabin crew member.
This exclusive campaign sees you in with the chance of winning a three-night all-inclusive holiday to the luxury Spanish destination, staying at Iberostar Selection Marbella Coral Beach from 2 October – 5 October 2025.
Jet2 and Greggs is offering a luxury holiday for the price of a sausage roll / Credit: Laura Barry (via Unsplash) | Greggs
On top of this, you’ll also get a handful of Jet2 and Greggs co-branded goodies sent to your door before take-off, and there may even be a present or two in your hotel room as well.
I think it’s safe to say there certainly will be carbs in Marbs.
Section 60 ‘stop and search’ powers have been introduced in Manchester following a double stabbing in Piccadilly Gardens last night.
Beginning this morning (Thursday 3 July) and set to be in place for 24 hours, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has authorised a section 60 in the city centre, with powers effective on Ring Road between Great Ancoats Street and Trinity Way, and Irwell Street between Trinity Way and New Quay Street.
Police will have the right to stop and search anyone they have suspicions over within the area during the authorised time frame.
The section 60 powers come under the 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, and after having run for the full 24 hours, is set to expire at 12:53am on Friday 4 July 2025.
The section 60 authority comes after GMP says it received multiple calls of an ‘ongoing disturbance’ where weapons were ‘seen and had potentially been used’ in Piccadilly Gardens, and when officers attended the scene, they found two men – one in his 20s and another in his 30s – both with stab wounds.
#INCIDENT | This morning (Thursday 3 July 2025), we authorised a Section 60 authority in the outlined area of the city centre.
The Section 60 is in place following a double stabbing in Piccadilly Gardens at around 12.50am.
— Manchester City Centre Police (GMP) (@GMPCityCentre) July 3, 2025
Both men remain in hospital at this time – with one receiving ongoing treatment, and the other remaining in critical condition.
No arrests have been made at this stage, and investigations are ongoing.
“The Section 60 authority put in place overnight gives officers additional powers which will be utilised to prevent any further incidents or the carrying of weapons,” commented Chief Inspector Rob MacGregor, from GMP’s City Centre division.
“There will be a significant presence of officers, particularly on foot patrol in the area today.
“If you have any concerns or any information, then please speak to those officers who will reassure and respond to any queries.”
CI MacGregor added that Section 60 powers are ‘crucial’ to preventing potential further offences or instances of violence in the community.
Anyone with information or footage relating to this incident is urged to contact GMP on 101, quoting log 71 of 03/07/2025, or report it via the LiveChat online at www.gmp.police.uk.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The Manc -
24th September 2020 
