Coronavirus: PM, Chancellor seek to reassure the public

Prime Minister Boris Johnson

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has sought to reassure the public as the Coronavirus crisis deepens.

Speaking at his now daily press conference, where he stood alongside Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, Mr Johnson said: "Yes, this enemy can be deadly, but it is also beatable.

"And we know how to beat it and we know if as a country we follow the scientific advice... we know that we will beat it."

He added: "However tough the months ahead, we have the resources and the resolve to win the fight."

Chancellor Mr Sunak acknowledged there are concerns about the impacts on pubs, clubs and theatres, after the PM urged the public to avoid them yesterday.

"For those venues which do have a policy that covers pandemics - the government action is sufficient to allow them to make claims," said Mr Sunak.

For the smaller businesses in that sector who don't have insurance he says he will provide cash grants of £25,000 per business "to help bridge through this period".

He also said businesses in the sector will get a "business rates holiday".

At last week's budget, the chancellor committed £1bn to support vulnerable people through the welfare system and hardship funds for local councils.

Now he plans to increase that further, with the announcement that mortgage lenders will provide three-month mortgage holidays for those that need them.

"In the coming days I will go much further to support people's financial security," he added, promising to talk to trade unions and business groups to arrange new support.

But he also wants to reiterate his promise that "this is first and foremost a public health emergency and... whatever resources the NHS needs they will get."

Mr Johnson added: "We must act like any war-time government and do anything it takes to support our economy."

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