Chancellor to announce further plans to protect jobs

The chancellor will announce support to “protect jobs” and “provide a safety net” for businesses forced to close in the coming weeks.

Rishi Sunak will detail the next stage of the job support scheme on Friday, as restrictions are placed on the hospitality sector in Scotland.

A tightening of measures is also expected in parts of England, with northern cities suffering a surge in Covid cases.

The latest restrictions in Scotland include pubs and restaurants being ordered to close across the central belt for a fortnight, while hospitality venues in the rest of the country land a 6pm indoor curfew.

The Scottish Government announced £40m in crisis funding for businesses impacted by the restrictions, which will be aimed to those most in need.

Just over two weeks ago, the chancellor announced a jobs support scheme, which will see the Treasury top up the wages of people in “viable” jobs working at least a third of their normal hours.

The initiative, which replaces the furlough scheme, will be in effect for six months starting in November.

On Friday, the Treasury confirmed Sunak would outline further details on the scheme.

A spokeswoman said: “The Chancellor will be setting out the next stage of the job support scheme later today, that will protect jobs and provide a safety net for those businesses that may have to close in the coming weeks and months.”