Johnson: "things will be tough" for UK economy

Britain's prime minister said Thursday that "things will be tough" in terms of the economy, but the government's new income support programme alongside harsher enforcement of COVID-19 restrictions would help bring virus numbers down and keep businesses afloat.

Speaking to British broadcaster Sky News, Boris Johnson said his government was doing "everything we can to support the workforce, support jobs, livelihoods, throughout the crisis."

This came after treasury chief Rishi Sunak announced a new income support programme to help workers hurt by the pandemic, responding to pressure from businesses and labour unions to step in with more direct support for people in precarious work situations.

He unveiled a package of economic measures, including a programme that subsidizes the wages of workers whose hours are cut due to the pandemic, during a speech to lawmakers.

The new economic plan would replace a furloughed worker program which is due to expire next month.

Under that program, the government pays 80% of the wages of workers who are placed on leave.

The programme comes as COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the U.K., blunting the country’s economic recovery from a nationwide lockdown imposed in March.

The government reported 6,178 new confirmed cases Wednesday, a 25% increase from the previous day and the U.K.’s highest daily total since May 1.

To control the spike in COVID-19 infections, the British government on Tuesday introduced new restrictions, including a 10 p.m. curfew for bars and restaurants that goes into effect Thursday.

Johnson insisted that the legal enforcement of virus restrictions would be enhanced, stressing "there will be serious fines for people who don't comply."