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Chancellor Rishi Sunak must reveal the future of the government’s job retention scheme later, amid growing calls to extend it.
Currently, more than six million people receive 80% of their government-paid wages while they are temporarily on leave from their jobs.
Mr. Sunak previously warned that the scheme, which will end in June, was not “sustainable” at its current rate.
It occurs when the government tries to get more people back to work.
On Monday night, he released a guide to making workplaces “safe for Covid,” including the requirement that employers conduct risk assessments before they can reopen.
‘No cliff edge’
Almost a quarter of the UK workforce has been suspended, with the government paying 80% of employees’ wages, up to £ 2,500 per month.
On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the initiative as “one of the most notable features of the government’s response” and “unlike anything seen internationally.”
“Six and a half million people currently receive support. It is absolutely right that we do so.”
He added that he did not want to steal the thunder from his chancellor, but said Sunak will update parliamentarians on Tuesday.
Last week, Sunak promised there would be no “cliff edge” limit.
Torsten Bell, executive director of the Resolution Foundation group of experts and one of the first proponents of the plan, warned that it would not be phased out too quickly.
“Moving too fast could spark a second huge increase in job loss at a time when unemployment already appears to be at the highest level for a quarter of a century,” he said.
“This policy has made a big difference in this crisis. Now it needs careful and gradual change to ensure that the benefits it has provided are insured rather than wasted.”
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This latest development of the scheme comes as the government continues to defend its return to work message, issued this week.
Both unions and Labor criticized Johnson for airing his call-to-work call on his Sunday night television broadcast without explaining how it could be done safely.
On Monday, Johnson used the daily Downing Street briefing to clarify the new rules, saying employers would have to demonstrate compliance with a new safety standard, dubbed “Safe Covid.”
The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy published a new guide for UK employers on how to implement social distancing measures, with eight separate documents published for sectors that can now reopen.
Measures could include staggered start times, one-way systems, worker-to-worker screens, and increased cleanliness.
Ministers must also provide more information on how people can safely travel on public transport as the coronavirus blockade begins to ease.
TUC Secretary General Frances O’Grady cautiously welcomed the new orientation in the workplace and said it was a “step in the right direction.”
But the union said ministers had to deal with the provision of personal protective equipment as more workers needed it.
“After the confusion of the past few days, workers will only feel safe if the government and employers now act to make safer work a reality in all workplaces,” he said.
‘Very serious risk’
However, a former chief scientific adviser, Sir David King, questioned the security of the plans and said it would be “foolish” for people to return to work too soon.
He said the UK should focus first on developing effective contact tracking and improving public health capacity before easing the blockade.
“I think until that is in place, I would just suggest that we take the very serious risk of going back to where we just left six weeks ago, and having to lock ourselves in again is going to extend the time scale of the epidemic for much longer.
“I think we should be considerably more cautious about undoing the blockade.”
Figures released on Monday showed that 210 other people died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of recorded deaths to 32,065.
After eight days of losing its goal of 100,000 tests per day, the government on Monday counted 100,490 tests on May 10.
Also on Monday, the government released a new guide for the public, as well as a lengthy strategy paper, on next steps in its response to the coronavirus in England.
The information includes new tips for people in England to use facial coatings on public transport and in some stores.
It also sets out how, starting on Wednesday, people in England will be allowed to meet another person outside their home as long as they remain outdoors and are kept 2 m apart.
However, the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland said the “stay home” messages remained there, prompting Johnson to advocate for different approaches among the nations of the United Kingdom.
The 60-page document also said:
- People in England can drive to any open air space in the country, but not to other UK nations whose rules must be respected
- Healthy people age 70 and older should take special care to minimize contact with others, even if the NHS has not advised them to protect
- Clothes should be washed regularly if people work with other people outside their home
- Doors and windows should be left open in places where people from different homes interact.
- A “rapid reengineering of government structures and institutions” is needed to deal with Covid-19
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