UK to pay two-thirds of wages in firms forced to close by Covid-19

British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak during a virtual news conference in Downing Street, London, after he presented his Winter Economy Plan to MPs in the House of Commons.

UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced new support for jobs in coronavirus hot spots, as tougher restrictions are readied to try to contain a pandemic the government warned is “getting out of control”.

Under Mr Sunak’s plans, the UK government will pay two-thirds of the wages of workers in companies forced to close as a result of virus restrictions, and will also offer increased cash grants while they are shuttered.