LONDON: The British government said on Friday it will pay two- thirds of the salaries of workers in companies that have to close as a result of new coronavirus restrictions widely expected to come into effect next week.

In a change of policy, Treasury chief Rishi Sunak has responded to calls from businesses, local leaders and unions to provide a financial support package to prevent mass job losses in sectors that will be subject to new restrictions.

Pubs and restaurants in large parts of the north of England, where the coronavirus is spreading fastest, are expected to face a government order to shut their doors again — barely three months after reopening. Restrictions are already being tightened in Scotland, where pubs in the two biggest cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh, have to close for 16 days.

I have always said that we will do whatever is necessary to protect jobs and livelihoods as the situation evolves,” Sunak said. The expansion of the Job Support Scheme will provide a safety net for businesses across the UK who are required to temporarily close their doors, giving them the right support at the right time.

The virus hot spots around England, such as the big northern cities of Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle, are expected to face new restrictions that could affect hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Under the terms of the new programme, the government will pay 67pc of the salaries of workers who won’t be able to work, up to a maximum of 2,100 pounds ($2,730) a month. Employers will not be required to contribute towards wages.

Sunak said cash grants for businesses required to close will also be increased to up to 3,000 pounds per month.

Businesses will only be eligible to claim the grant while they are subject to restrictions and employees must be off work for a minimum of seven consecutive days. The changes will take effect from Nov. 1 and will be available for six months, with a review in January.

Sunak would not be drawn on what businesses would be forced to close but said the rise in cases and hospital admissions in certain parts of the country is a concern that necessitates a change in approach.

A more generous nationwide program will expire at the end of October. At the height of that program, the government paid 80pc of the salaries of furloughed workers, keeping a lid on unemployment. That is being succeeded by the less generous Jobs Support Scheme, which will see the government pay up to 22pc of wages for workers who return to work from their furlough from Nov 1.

Business and union leaders agreed that the modified scheme will help protect jobs.

Carolyn Fairbairn, director general of the Confederation of British Industry, said the change “should cushion the blow for the most affected and keep more people in work,” while noting that many firms, including pubs and restaurants, “will still be hugely disappointed if they have to close their doors again after doing so much to keep customers and staff safe.” Frances OGrady, general secretary of the umbrella Trades Union Congress, said the scheme will protect jobs in businesses forced to close but urged more support for companies that are not required to close but are nevertheless hurt indirectly by the new restrictions.

Closing pubs and restaurants will be a bitter blow to the hospitality sector, which had been emerging from the tumult of the lockdown and was the main motor of economic growth in August. Figures released Friday showed the sector was largely behind the 2.1pc increased in GDP recorded from the previous month.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2020