UK lockdown POLL: Would you work from home permanently if you were given the chance? VOTE
Due to the lockdown, non-essential workers were asked to work from home where possible. With that in mind, Express.co.uk is asking, ‘Would you work from home permanently if you were given the chance?’ This week, interim Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab extended the UK’s lockdown by at least a further three weeks. Although it will once again be reviewed, the lockdown could then be extended beyond that point.
When the UK comes out of the virus pandemic, experts have warned the public may have to make changes to their everyday lives.
Some have concluded a vaccine could take 18 months to formulate, which could mean the public may have to withstand restrictions to what they can and can’t do for a prolonged period of time.
A YouGov poll released this week showed nine in ten people are complying with the restrictions which were put in place on March 23.
A poll released on April 16 also showed, 67 percent of the 3,430 asked would strongly support extending the coronavirus lockdown.
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Just two percent of those asked would strongly oppose extending the lockdown.
Despite some supporting a further lockdown, there is concern among UK businesses if they will be able to recover following the pandemic.
Although Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced fiscal packages aimed at supporting businesses last month, in line with economic hit felt worldwide, the UK economy is expected to shrink in the long-term.
In order to help medium to large firms, Mr Sunak will announce a new £330billion loan package next week.
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Businesses with turnovers of more than £500million were not included in the original loan scheme.
However, they will now be included in the scheme which will be part of £330billion of taxpayer money.
Mr Sunak said: “I want to ensure that no viable business slips through our safety net of support as we help protect jobs and the economy.
“That is why we are expanding this generous scheme for larger firms.
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“This is a national effort and we’ll continue to work with the financial services sector to ensure that our £330bn of government support, through loans and guarantees, reaches as many businesses in need as possible.”
Business Secretary, Alok Sharma also said: “Coronavirus has struck a heavy blow against businesses of all sizes across the UK.
“Expanding this scheme will provide larger firms with the support they need during the pandemic, helping to provide job security to thousands of people and protect our economy.”
The support for businesses comes as the world biggest trial of drugs to treat COVID-19 patients has been set up.
The Recovery Trial has recruited over 5,000 patients in 165 NHS hospitals around the UK in a month.
Leading the trial, Peter Horby, professor of emerging infectious diseases and global health at Oxford University said this was by far the largest trial ever conducted.
He said: “We’re guessing some time in June we may get the results.
“If it is really clear that there are benefits, an answer will be available quicker.”
He did add, however, that this would not be an easy process.
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