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Boris Johnson wants lockdown lifted quickly to save 3million jobs at risk from coronavirus crisis

BORIS Johnson is reported to have told ministers to lift the coronavirus lockdown as quickly as possible to help prevent a jobs bloodbath.

The news comes after the PM signed off on new measures to boost the country's flagging economy after he was apparently informed more than three million jobs were at risk.

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 The PM signed off on new measures to boost the country's flagging economy
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The PM signed off on new measures to boost the country's flagging economyCredit: PA:Press Association

Business Secretary Alok Sharma is said to have warned that a failure to reopen the hospitality sector could cost up to 3.5 million jobs.

The Sunday Times reports on hearing the news the PM reportedly replied: "Christ!"

Boris is now said to have tasked a small group of ministers - called the 'Save Summer Six' - to draw up measures to return life to something like normal by July.

“I wouldn’t quite say there is going to be a tsunami of job losses,” one Whitehall official familiar with the forecasts said. “But it’s a pretty enormous wave.”

Boris has made it clear he plans to fire up the economy with a ‘Great Recovery Bill’ as the UK eases out lockdown.

He has told ministers to come up with ideas to help companies adapt to the chaos caused by the pandemic.

It comes as the government plans to gradually ease the strict lockdown measures after more than two months, with non-essential shops re-opening on June 15.

 Business Secretary Alok Sharma is said to have warned millions of jobs were at risk
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Business Secretary Alok Sharma is said to have warned millions of jobs were at riskCredit: PA:Press Association

Boris’s scheme could include planning reforms - with ministers believing new housing, roads and broadband key to the country bouncing back.

Pubs will also be fast-tracked to serve in beer gardens and shops could be allowed to open all day on Sundays under new government plans.

The Prime Minister is expected to use a major speech to effectively relaunch the Conservatives' domestic agenda after the Government's attention turned to the Covid-19 crisis.

He will this week chair a meeting of his Cabinet to update them on the next lockdown-easing steps for a number of sectors, which are expected to take effect from June 15.

It's reported that the PM will unveil plans to ease restrictions on weddings and funerals from next month, as well as possible measures to reopen hairdressers before July 4.

And the Times said he has told Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to secure "travel corridor" deals with holiday hotspots by June 28.

Downing Street announced last night that churches and other places of worship are set to open for private prayer from June 15 but worship groups, weddings and other services will still not be permitted.

However, there are concerns that the reproduction rate of coronavirus is still dangerously high - with a report by Public Health England and Cambridge University placing the R value just above 1 in the North West.

If R is 1 or higher, the virus will spread exponentially through the population, while a value less than 1 indicates the virus is in decline.

Meanwhile it's been reported the Prime Minister would outline plans to accelerate major infrastructure projects - including pledges to build 40 new hospitals and key road upgrades.

Mr Johnson is also said to want to fast-track recruitment campaigns for doctors and nurses to increase the NHS's resilience before the winter.

 

A Whitehall source told the Telegraph that "getting the immediate crisis under control remains the "Prime Minister's main focus", but said the Government is "also preparing for tough economic times ahead".

"The PM wants to explain that rebuilding after this crisis won't be a repeat of 2008," the source said.

"In the election the PM made the right diagnosis of the problems many people face. He believes now is the time to be even more ambitious with his plans to unite and level up the country."

Boris Johnson admits there will be 'many job losses due to coronavirus' and promises apprenticeships for young
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