Chancellor To Announce New COVID-19 Support Measures At 1130BST

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak is expected in the Commons in around half an hour at 1130BST (0630ET, 1230CET) to deliver a statement regarding additional financial support for regions of England put into Tier 2 COVID-19 restrictions.

• Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE0LtwISlr0
• The measures have been trailed as a significant package of support for industries such as hospitality that have been hit hard by the 'rule of six' limit on gatherings, the 10pm mandated closing time for pubs and restaurants, and the ban on households mixing indoors that all apply in the 'high risk' Tier 2 areas.
• Politico is quoting a Whitehall source stating that the package is "not furlough but it's intended to help people in Tier 2 and 3," while The Sun adds that "firms hit by Tier 2 restrictions such as pubs, bars and restaurants will get two thirds of wages paid for by the state." and that Sunak is "considering expanding the eligibility criteria for business grants, which are currently only on offer to businesses forced to close altogether."
• The UK registered another record increase in cases on October 21, with 26,687 added to the total. The spread of the virus remains relatively restricted to various regions, with the north of England, Scotland's central belt, and south Wales all seeing notable spikes in infections.