Rishi Sunak to lay out new job support scheme for ‘coming weeks and months’
Rishi Sunak will outline a new chapter of the government’s job support scheme later today, the Treasury has confirmed.
The Chancellor will be discussing the next stage of the plan to “protect jobs and provide a safety net for those businesses that may have to close in the coming weeks and months.”
Given how Sunak had already laid out his Winter Economy Plan back in September, the announcement is an unexpected one – raising suspicions that the speech could in fact be financial blueprints for harsher local lockdowns.
Rumours have been swirling with regards to heavy restrictions being reimposed on the north from Monday – which may involve the likes of pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes all being forced to close for a period.
However, local leaders are refusing to get behind the plan without the promise of financial support.
Mayor of Greater Manchester pledged to fight any restrictions that came without due compensation.
New reports are suggesting that Sunak is set to discuss the prospect of a local furlough scheme that the Manchester leader has been demanding for weeks.
During his address, the Chancellor may also elaborate on the government’s tier system – a new method of categorising the risk level of areas (and imposing relevant measures) in regards to infection rates.
Given Greater Manchester’s high level of cases, it is likely that all ten boroughs would be placed into Tier Three – which would results in the full closure of hospitality.
At present, none of these new restrictions have been officially confirmed, with the region still awaiting confirmation of where it stands.