Covid scheme: UK government to cover 22% of worker pay for six months

Rishi Sunak outlines plans that will take over from furlough programme

• Key points from Rishi Sunak's winter economy plan - at a glance
• What is Rishi Sunak's job support scheme and how will it work?
• Analysis: Sunak tries to stop job losses hitting postwar record

The government will cover almost a quarter of pay for workers in viable" jobs for the next six months, the chancellor said as he outlined plans that will take over from the furlough scheme when it finishes at the end of October.

Unveiling a support package designed to help fend off mass unemployment in the wake of the new restrictions imposed to contain the coronavirus, Rishi Sunak said he knew curbs on everyday freedoms were challenging and that the time had come for the public to live with some element of risk.

Related: Key points from Rishi Sunak's winter economy plan - at a glance