The Government's Jobs Retentions scheme opens to employers today - allowing struggling firms to apply for funding to cover their workers' wages during the COVID-19 crisis.
The scheme, which places staff on 'furlough', essentially paid leave, will cover up to 80% of their earnings, up to £2,500 a month - equivalent to the average UK salary of £30,000 a year.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: "It's vital that our economy gets up and running again as soon as it's safe." It comes as latest figures show more than 11million people could end up on the employment scheme following an extension of last week's coronavirus lockdown measures.