New income support plan to help workers hit by pandemic

Britain’s treasury chief announced a new income support program Thursday for workers hurt by the coronavirus pandemic as the government races to prevent widespread layoffs when earlier employer subsidies end next month.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak, in a speech to lawmakers, unveiled his plan to subsidize the wages of workers whose hours are cut due to the pandemic as part of a wider package of measures to help businesses and bolster the economy.

The plan comes in response to pres- sure from businesses and labor unions for the government to step in with more direct support for people in precarious work situations.

The new proposal would replace a fur- loughed worker program that expires next month under which the government pays 80% of the wages of workers who are placed on leave.