Chancellor Rishi Sunak has delivered his first Budget in the House of Commons, announcing the government's tax and spending plans for the year ahead.£5bn emergency response fund to support the NHS and other public services
- Statutory sick pay will be paid to all those who choose to self-isolate, even if they don't have symptoms
- Contributory Employment Support Allowance benefit claimants will be able to claim sick pay on day one, not after a week
- £500m hardship fund to help vulnerable people
- Firms with fewer than 250 staff will be refunded for sick pay payments for two weeks
- Small firms will be able to access "business interruption" loans of up to £1.2m
- Business rates in England will be abolished for firms in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors with a rateable value below £51,000
