British companies clamor for fresh $10.3 billion COVID-19 relief plan

British companies on Tuesday cried out for a fresh $10.3 billion worth COVID-19 relief package, saying that they can no longer wait until March to find out if the government included pandemic support for them.

According to the Confederation of British Industry, firms now face crucial decisions about jobs and investment, hence the need to know whether their financial lifelines will be extended. This is amid fresh lockdown reinstatement and post-Brexit situation.

Finance Minister Rishi Sunak has already laid out support measures several times and has stated his pandemic relief plan will cost 280 billion pounds during the present financial year, burdening Britain with a peacetime record budget deficit.

However, the CBI demanded the finance minister to extend his broad job retention scheme until June, which is bound to end in April. BI added that it should be followed up with targeted support for jobs in low-lying sectors, including Aviation.