// The final measures of easing England out of lockdown has been delayed until July 19
// The fourth and final stage of taking England out of lockdown was initially set for June 21
// The lockdown extension is set to be reviewed in two weeks
Calls for business rates relief and the furlough scheme to be extended have been rejected as Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed last night that the date for easing England out of lockdown will be delayed to July 19.
The fourth and final stage of taking England out of lockdown was originally set for June 21, but the rapid spread in cases of the Delta variant has led to a 50 per cent rise in hospitalisations across England week-on-week.
The lockdown extension is set to be reviewed in two weeks and the PM remains “confident” that the delay would not need to be longer than four weeks.
READ MORE: Furlough rates plummet to lowest figures this year
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has rejected the call to extend furlough and business rates relief, both of which are set to begin to wind down from the start of next month.
The furlough scheme will wind down from paying 80 per cent of people’s wages to 70 per cent from July 1, with support set to be withdrawn altogether by September.
Business rate relief is set to fall from 100 per cent to 66 per cent from July 1, although it will remain in place until March next year.
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