IFS: Chancellor Rishi Sunak's announcement on support for businesses and individuals

In response to these changes, IFS Director Paul Johnson said:

“Three things stand out from today’s announcement. First, the Chancellor has made the Job Support Scheme much more generous. In many respects it has much in common with the current version of furlough scheme which comes to an end this month. Second, extra funding for grants for businesses facing falls in demand as a result of restrictions in tier-two areas gives significant discretion to councils on how much different businesses will get. This is a welcome recognition of the role of local decision makers in supporting their local economies rather relying on central allocations. The considerable challenge for councils now will be to direct this in the most effective way possible - and defend differences in policies from their neighbours. Third, the Treasury has, remarkably, once again neglected to put any cost estimate on a substantial package of announcements."