Chancellor Rishi Sunak has quietly axed a £10bn bonus scheme for firms that retain formerly furloughed workers. He said in July that businesses would get £1,000 for every worker they kept on their payroll by the end of January, but this was scrapped when Mr Sunak extended the furlough scheme last month. The move has impacted cashflow forecasts for many firms, with manufacturers particularly hit because the bonus is more appealing than continuing to use furlough as they can continue to operate.
Read more: Sunday Times