The Chancellor is expected to extend the furlough scheme and business rate relief into summer in next month’s Budget.

The coronavirus support packages are due to end on March 31, but Rishi Sunak will push the deadline back, according to the Financial Times.

It means the Government will continue to pay 80% of wages, up to £2,500 a month, for furloughed workers until autumn, when the scheme will be phased out.

When the scheme ends, some job support measures will remain in place, the FT reports.

The Chancellor has been facing calls to help businesses get back on their feet when they are finally allowed to reopen.

The business rate relief, introduced last March, is aimed at helping retailers that have been unable to open due to restrictions, particularly in the hospitality and leisure industry.

The Government has been warned that thousands of pubs will shut for good if the relief scheme isn’t extended.

Some industry leaders have also called for additional grants for hospitality businesses to kick start their reopening.

Instead of scrapping the scheme, Mr Sunak is reportedly considering an online sales tax in autumn which could initially raise £2bn. It is hoped the move could also see shoppers return to the high street when stores are permitted to reopen.

The FT reports that Mr Sunak will also extend the £20 a week Universal Credit uplift.

More to follow

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