Covid-19: in the face of criticism, the British government expands its employment measures

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Finance Minister Rishi Sunak on October 5, 2020 in London.

Leon Neal / Reuters

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British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday announced a new plan to support employment, as the country faces a resurgence of cases of Covid-19 infection and the government prepares to increase local restrictions and containments.

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With our correspondent in London,

After refusing to order a temporary and localized reconfinement two weeks ago, Boris Johnson's government now fears losing control of the coronavirus epidemic, and is being forced to announce tighter restrictions, probably from from Monday 12 October.

And to anticipate the criticisms and the strong concerns of companies and their employees affected by these restrictions, the Minister of the Economy has decided to expand the employment support mechanism, announced two weeks ago, and which must replace the massive subsidies given at the height of the pandemic.

► See also: Coronavirus in the United Kingdom: the tracing of infected people again in question

Britons fear layoffs by the thousands

Previously only open to part-time employees, this support will be offered to companies that must legally remain closed due to restrictions imposed by the authorities.

This means that their employees will be compensated up to two-thirds of their usual salary.

These measures will come into force on November 1, for a period of six months, but will be reassessed in January.

Prime Minister 

like his Minister of Finance Rishi Sunak, were under pressure from the Labor opposition but also from their conservative camp to increase support for employment, for fear of layoffs by the thousands.

► See also: United Kingdom: in the midst of a slump, the Conservative Party meets in congress

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• UK

• Economy

• Coronavirus

• Economic crisis

• Employment and Work

• Boris Johnson

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