A coalition of retailers has warned the Treasury that 10,000 jobs could be wiped out ‘overnight’ unless urgent action is taken to avert a deepening crisis. Shops are still recovering from three months of store closures with trade remaining significantly down on last year as shoppers and office workers avoid town centres. Chancellor Rishi Sunak handed high street firms a £10 billion business rates holiday in March. It comes as economists warn that jobless figures could soar above three million this winter, eclipsing record highs in the early 1980s. Stores including Boots and Debenhams are said to have ‘bombarded’ the Treasury with warnings.

Source: Daily Mail September 12, 2020 21:24 UTC