Sunak fires third aid salvo in a month to help ailing British economy

London

CHANCELLOR of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak increased the generosity of the UK aid package for businesses hamstrung by the resurgent coronavirus pandemic, his third push in less than a month to stop a wave of job losses sweeping across the country.

Mr Sunak increased government contributions to workers' wages, and reduced the hours they have to work in order to qualify for a state programme to support employees' pay. He also stepped up help for the self-employed and announced a package of grants to businesses that are not required to close but are suffering because of coronavirus restrictions.