Shoppers and tourists in a rush to beat the new curbs

SHOPPERS in England headed out to stock up yesterday before doors at non-essential outlets close for the new lockdown starting on Thursday.

The spree led to jam-packed car parks at shopping centres.

Holidaymakers also raced to beat the month-long restrictions and long queues formed at airports.

The British Retail Consortium told MPS the new shutdown was “unfair” as “there is very little indication that shops cause infections”.

The impact on businesses was highlighted by a forecast from budget fashion giant Primark that it expects to lose £375million in sales due to a second lockdown across Europe.

Unlike rivals, Primark does not have an online arm to help it recoup sales.

Investment bank Peel Hunt said most chain stores can withstand the lockdown but an extension would be “disastrous”.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak was last night urged to outline a six-month plan to support workers and businesses during a coronavirus winter. Labour called on the Government to avoid a “scramble” to keep up with events. Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds said: “Mr Sunak’s stubborn refusal to address problems of his making until the last minute is risking lives, costing jobs and causing chaos.

“Businesses need certainty if we are to avoid a 1980s-style jobs crisis, not endless chopping and changing by a Chancellor always playing catch-up.

“He must stop this lastminute scramble and set out a strategic plan for the next six months that gives workers and businesses the certainty they need.”

In a doubled-up version of the furlough scheme, the self-employed will receive 80% of their average trading profits in November, said Boris Johnson.

The self-employment income support scheme, calculated over three months, will effectively increase to 55% of trading profits from November to January, with a maximum £5,160 grant.

This means there will be £4.5billion of support for the self-employed.

The TUC’S general secretary Frances O’grady said: “It has taken the Government far too long to set the level of self-employed income support at a fair, decent rate.”