London Reopens as UK Government Faces Extreme Pressure to Reopen Economy

COVID-19 job retention scheme to cover wages of 8.4 million furlough workers.

One million businesses in the UK have claimed 15 billion pounds from the government COVID-19 job retention scheme to cover the wages of 8.4 million furlough workers. According to the treasury, the scheme was brought in to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 and it allows the employees to receive 80% of their monthly salaries up to 2,500 pounds. Officials say, there is the self-employed support scheme which differs from the furlough scheme because it is a grant paid out in a single installment covering three months and amounting to 80% of average profit. Despite the financial pressure on the UK economy, the country has begun reopening process as the Prime Minister explains that the country will have non-essential shops opened by the 16th of June. Some businesses and other activities have already reopened in London as seen in the featured video.