On Friday 20th March 2020, Boris Johnson ordered all UK pubs, clubs and restaurants to close and announced a wage-support scheme that would pay for 80% of wages of those who lost their job. Additionally, Boris Johnson announced that gyms, theatres, cinemas and leisure centres should all close. The emergency closure is a result of essential steps necessary to combat the spread of coronavirus. Consequently, this has led to thousands of people over the UK losing their jobs and they are uncertain about how to access the financial support promised by the government on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister stated "unnecessary social gatherings" across the UK were to be avoided and police were to enforce their authority if people were found to be behaving against the government’s orders. He said the steps were "extraordinary" but critical in order to save thousands of lives. Additionally, since the closure of schools they have been informed to provide care for those who are vulnerable such as children with a social worker, or special educational needs.
The government proposed a grant due to the effects of (COVID-19), this informed those who were self-employment that there would be an Income Support Scheme to allow them to be provided with funding. Those who are able to claim this grant are people who are self-employed or a member of a partnership and have lost income due to coronavirus. This scheme allows people to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of their trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for the next 3 months.
