A series of measures intended to limit the economic impact of coronavirus in the UK have been announced by Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in his Budget statement.
The measures include the reimbursement of businesses employing fewer than 250 people for any statutory sick pay they pay to staff for the first 14 days of sickness.
The Chancellor also announced that workers will be able to acquire sick notes by calling NHS 111, rather than having to visit their GP.
Statutory sick pay for ‘all those who are advised to self-isolate’, even if they have not displayed symptoms, is being introduced and plans are being implemented to help employees on zero-hours contracts access benefits faster and more easily.
In all, Mr Sunak committed £30bn to help support the UK economy, which he warned would be subject to a significant but temporary disruption as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
