Evening Standard reporting that the........>

UK PRESS: Evening Standard reporting that the furlough scheme, which provides an

80% wage subsidy paid for by the taxpayer to furloughed workers, could be

tapered as the country emerges from lockdown to encourage people back to work

over the coming months.

- Furlough scheme has cost the treasury Stg.8bn so far.

- Chancellor Rishi Sunak is said to be mulling a reduction in the subsidy to 60%

of  workers' wages up to Stg.2,500/month, or to allow those on furlough to

return to work with an even smaller subsidy. 

- This would allow shops and other small companies unable to operate at a profit

while maintaining social distancing measures some respite.  

- Decisions set to be taken this week before PM Johnson outlines the UK's exit

strategy on Sunday 10 May.