Business leaders demand extended support as lockdown easing delay expected

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Business leaders have called on the Treasury to extend financial support measures as they warn that Government plans to stall the lifting of lockdown restrictions will be a “blow” for Covid-hit firms. Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, warned that a delay will make businesses in the sector “highly reliant” on Government support as they are already heavily burdened with debt. “Many of these businesses and individuals have adapted, overcome and survived for an exceptional length of time with the bare bones of support, and have arrived at this opportunity to find that it could be ripped away from them.” Nigel Morris, employment tax director at MHA MacIntyre Hudson, said the Chancellor should consider changes to furlough if a delay is announced at 5pm. “Keeping Government contributions at 80% throughout July – instead of going ahead with the proposed reduction to 70% support for businesses with a mandatory 10% employer contribution – would be an enormous help given the delay to ‘Freedom Day’.” Nevertheless, London’s markets were in a strong position on Monday morning.