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Wage boost and tax cuts for workers hit by coronavirus

Boris Johnson is expected to reveal an unprecedented package of wage subsidies and tax cuts today after he pledged to “stand by the workers of this country”.

Cuts to employers’ national insurance and the basic rate of income tax and a plan to subsidise people’s wages are being considered by the Treasury to help those who will “really suffer” in the economic shutdown.

One source suggested that the government could in effect underwrite 60 per cent of the average national wage for each worker. The plan was described by an official as an “entirely new approach” that would present “significant technical challenges”.

The package had been due to be announced next week but has been brought forward in the face of accusations by senior Conservative