Politics latest: Easing of furlough scheme in hospitality industry is 'greatest challenge', says minister

Follow the latest coronavirus news in our live blog Boris Johnson draws line under Dominic Cummings row amid furore over scientists People asked to self-isolate will not be told name of informant Most people infected with coronavirus never show symptoms Stilton, whisky and pork pies become the next Brexit battleground Subscribe to the Telegraph, free for seven days Sectors that are still unable to open under the new lockdown rules face "the greatest challenge of all", a Cabinet minister has admitted, with the Chancellor due to announce changes to the furlough scheme. Rishi Sunak is expected to unveil plans to taper the jobs retention scheme later today, which is thought will include an obligation for employers to contribute 20 per cent of salaries, as well as National Insurance contributions, from August. Speaking to Sky this morning Environment Secretary George Eustice said the Government could not "keep people on that furlough scheme indefinitely" and that the taper plan would sit alongside a change in rules allowing several sectors such as retail to get back to work. Asked if widespread redundancies were a price worth paying for the furlough scheme to be wound up, he said: "The most important thing is we need those businesses that can get back to work... "There are sectors that are going to have the greatest challenge getting back to work, which we recognise: the hospitality sector and other ticketed venues such as theatres, cinemas, restaurants and pubs... Some sectors are going to have the greatest challenge of all." Follow the latest updates below.

source https://news.yahoo.com/politics-latest-easing-furlough-scheme-041420707.html