The government is to pay 80% of wages for employees not working, up to £2,500 a month, Chancellor Rishi Sunak says.
The Chancellor made an appeal to employers to stand by their workers during the coronavirus crisis.
"Let me speak directly to businesses: I know it's incredibly difficult out there - we in government are doing everything we can to support you," he said.
"The government is doing its best to stand behind you and I'm asking you to do your best to stand behind our workers."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51982005