Covid-19: Government to pay 80% of salary to staff unable to work

Chancellor Sunak Rishi has said the government will pay 80% of wages to employees who aren’t able to work due to the coronavirus, up to £2,500 a month, according to the BBC.

The “unprecedented measure” comes as the government has unveiled more plans to protect jobs and businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic.

As well as announcing new measures for wage aid, the Chancellor also confirmed that he would defer the next quarter of VAT payments for firms until the end of June.

Self-assessment income payments will also be deferred, and business interruption loans will be interest free for the next 12 months.

It comes as cafes and pubs across the UK will be forced to shut “as soon as they reasonably can” in a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

The closures will also apply to the UK’s nightclubs, theatres, cinemas, gyms and leisure centres.