UK Covid-19 vaccinations: Latest figures
Pubs, restaurants, shops and other businesses which have been hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic will be supported by a £5bn grant scheme to help them to reopen as lockdown restrictions are eased, the government has said.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak will detail how the “restart grants”, worth up to £6,000 per premises, will work to help non-essential retailers reopen and trade safely as part of his Budget on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, hospitality, hotels, gyms and personal care and leisure firms will be eligible for up to £18,000 per premises as they are expected to open later under Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of restrictions.
It came as the Department of Health and Social Care revealed that whole families with children in school or college in England will be able to test themselves for Covid-19 twice a week from home under plans to reopen schools from 8 March.
Ministers said free tests would be provided to pupils’ households, as well as those in their childcare or support bubbles, regardless of symptoms.
Sunak hints at tax rises in Budget next week
Rishi Sunak has hinted at tax rises in next week’s Budget, arguing that he wants to deliver on a promise to be “responsible” with the British public’s money.
Our political editor, Andrew Woodcock, has the full story below:
Rishi Sunak hints at tax rises in Budget next week
Rishi Sunak has hinted at tax rises in next week’s Budget, saying: “I would like to keep taxes low for people… but I want to deliver our promises to the British people that we will be responsible with their money.”
Conrad Duncan28 February 2021 09:02
£5bn grant scheme to support businesses hard-hit by pandemic
Businesses such as pubs, restaurants and non-essential retailers are set to be offered support from a £5bn grant scheme to help them recover from the damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown restrictions.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak will detail plans for “restart grants” worth up to £6,000 per premises for non-essential retailers and £18,000 per premises for hospitality, gyms, hotels and leisure firms as part of his Budget next week.
The Treasury has estimated 230,000 firms will be eligible for the higher band of support.
Mr Sunak told the Mail on Sunday that the scheme would provide at-risk businesses with “the support they need to get them through, get them back on their feet and get the tills ringing once again”.
However, the chancellor issued a warning about the scale of damage to the economy, suggesting he could use the Budget to begin making less palatable decisions to tackle the deficit, such as raising taxes.
Conrad Duncan28 February 2021 08:55
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic today.
Conrad Duncan28 February 2021 08:38
