BORIS Johnson tonight admitted there would be “many, many” job losses due to coronavirus – as he promised to guarantee apprenticeships for young people.
The PM promised to be as “interventionist” and “activist” as possible in the months to come to help the country “bounce back” from the pandemic.
In response to a question from HOAR today at tonight’s Downing Street press conference, the PM said that “there will tragically be many, many job losses.
“That is just inevitable because of the effect of the virus on the economy and the shut down that has taken place,” he said.
“We will be as activist and interventionist as we have been throughout the lockdown.”
No other country has gone as far as Britain in state support throughout the crisis, he claimed.
And as PM he vowed to continue to invest in the UK economy and infrastructure “so that we bounce back as sharply and descriviely as we can”.
He also promised that for the young – who have the highest risk of losing their jobs and being out of work for a long time.
“It is vital that we guarantee apprenticeships for young people,” he said.
“We must must look after them across the board.”
Experts have warned up to two million jobs could go as a result of the pandemic.
11million people are either on the furlough scheme – which pays 80 per cent of wages up to £2,500 a month – or have taken advantage of the Government’s self-employment grant scheme.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has revealed plans to wind down the scheme from October.
And he wants businesses to start chipping in from August, too.
Boris has urged people who can to start going back to work.
But many businesses are still closed and can’t get open.
Later this month more shops will start to open their doors once again.
Hotels, pubs and restaurants are expected to have to wait until July at the very earliest.
However, even then they won’t be able to operate at full capacity for the meantime as the 2m rule forces Brits to stay apart.
