Chancellor tells coronavirus briefing UK furlough scheme 'cannot continue indefinitely'

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has warned the coronavirus furlough scheme "cannot continue indefinitely".

Hosting the Government's daily coronavirus briefing, Mr Sunak outlined a timeline for employers to start to help pay the wages of workers furloughed during the crisis.

From October, employers will be expected to make up 20% of the wages of furloughed staff - while the government makes up the remaining 60%.

The Chancellor also announced an extension to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme that had been due to expire on Sunday.

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Following easing of lockdown measures across the UK, Mr Sunak told the Downing Street daily press conference:

"As we reopen the economy, there is broad consensus across the political and economic spectrum, the furlough scheme cannot continue indefinitely."

Relaxing of England's lockdown restrictions - announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday - are set to come into force on Monday.

It comes as the UK death toll from coronavirus rose to 38,161, with 324 further Covid-19 deaths reported on Friday.

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