The furlough scheme will be extended until the end of March, the chancellor has announced.
Rishi Sunak made the announcement in a statement to MPs, telling them that the payments would remain at 80% of people’s wages.
The policy will be reviewed in January, he told the Commons, to “decide whether economic circumstances are improving enough to ask employers to contribute more”.
“Our highest priority remains the same: to protect jobs and livelihoods,” Mr Sunak said.
The chancellor also announced support for the self-employed, with the next income support grant for November to January increasing to 80% of average profits up to £7,500.
