FACTBOX-What we know about UK finance minister Sunak's spending plans
WORK COACHES The government will double the number of its job coaches to 27,000 at a cost of 800 million pounds ($997 million), the finance ministry said. Sunak will also announce a temporary VAT cut for hospitality firms to protect 2.4 million jobs in the sector, which began to reopen on July 4, The Times said.
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Finance minister Rishi Sunak will spell out new measures to revitalize Britain's economy and protect jobs from the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic when he updates parliament on Wednesday. Here's what we know already about Sunak's announcement, due at around 1130 GMT.
KICKSTART SCHEME
A 2 billion-pound ($2.5 billion) Kickstart Scheme will enable employers to hire unemployed young people aged 16-24, using government funds to pay them the national minimum wage for 25 hours a week.
The Resolution Foundation think tank estimated the program could help up to 300,000 young people into work.
GREEN ECONOMY FUNDING
Sunak has earmarked 3 billion pounds ($3.75 billion) to improve the energy efficiency of homes and public buildings, and support more than 100,000 jobs, the finance ministry said. The funds comprise 2 billion pounds in grants -- worth up to 5,000 pounds each -- to cover two-thirds of the costs of insulation and double-glazing of windows. The poorest families will receive up to 10,000 pounds without having to pay anything.
The remaining 1 billion pounds will be spent on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from public-sector buildings.
WORK COACHES
The government will double the number of its job coaches to 27,000 at a cost of 800 million pounds ($997 million), the finance ministry said.
TAX BREAKS?
Sunak will give homebuyers a tax break and cut value-added tax for pubs, restaurants, and other hospitality firms, British newspapers have reported. Sunak will say he will raise the property tax threshold to as high as 500,000 pounds ($623,700), four times its current level, the reports said.
The Sun said the change would be introduced immediately. Sunak will also announce a temporary VAT cut for hospitality firms to protect 2.4 million jobs in the sector, which began to reopen on July 4, The Times said.
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