The Government will make a one-off payment of £500 to low-income parents and guardians of children needing to self-isolate during the pandemic. The eligibility criteria for the Government's Test and Trace Support Scheme has now been updated to include "a parent or guardian who is staying off work to look after a child who is self-isolating". Work and Pensions Minister Justin Tomlinson announced the development at the Commons on Tuesday. The news comes after Labour called last month for the one-off payment to be available to anyone who does not have access to occupational sick pay and low-income parents of self-isolating children. The £500 Test and Trace Support Scheme, introduced in September, offers financial help to people on low incomes who cannot work during their self-isolation period and will, as a result, lose income.

Source: Daily Mirror March 02, 2021 20:47 UTC