In today's #Budget2020 the Chancellor set out a £12 billion package of temporary, timely and targeted measures to support public services, individuals and businesses through the economic disruption caused by COVID-19.
James has welcomed this comprehensive package of support to respond to COVID-19 and the Chancellor's commitment to do whatever it takes to protect our security and economy. The package include three elements:
1) To support public services - the government will provide any extra resources needed by the NHS and other public services to tackle the virus. A COVID-19 Response fund, initially set at £5 billion, has been created for the NHS to treat Coronavirus patients, including maintaining staffing levels; local authority actions to support social care services and vulnerable people; ensuring that funding is available so other public services are prepared and protected
2) Measures to support people affected by COVID-19 including Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) available for eligible individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 or those who are unable to work because they are self-isolating in line with Government advice. Those who are not eligible for SSP, for example the self-employed or people earning below the Lower Earnings Limit of £118 per week, can now more easily make a claim for Universal Credit or Contributory Employment and Support Allowance.
3) Support for businesses facing increased costs or disruption - including allow SMEs to reclaim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) paid for up to 2 weeks for sickness absence due to COVID-19; increase the Business Rates retail discount to 100% for one year and expand it to the leisure and hospitality sectors, and increase the planned rates discount for pubs to £5,000; an additional £2.2 billion funding for local authorities to support small businesses that already pay little or no Business Rates because of Small Business Rate Relief (SBBR). This will provide a one-off grant of £3,000 to around 700,000 business currently eligible for SBRR or Rural Rate Relief; a new temporary Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme,
More detail is available here https://www.gov.uk/…/support-for-those-affected-by-covid-19…
Advice on how to protect yourself is available here https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
