{"id":104827,"date":"2021-01-22T15:11:56","date_gmt":"2021-01-22T15:11:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fin2me.com\/?p=104827"},"modified":"2021-01-22T15:11:56","modified_gmt":"2021-01-22T15:11:56","slug":"covid-19-no-plans-to-give-500-to-everyone-who-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-says-number-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fin2me.com\/politics\/covid-19-no-plans-to-give-500-to-everyone-who-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-says-number-10\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19: ‘No plans’ to give \u00a3500 to everyone who tests positive for coronavirus, says Number 10"},"content":{"rendered":"
There are “no plans” to give everyone who tests positive for coronavirus a one-off payment of \u00a3500, Downing Street has said.<\/p>\n
The dramatic proposal, which would cost the government a massive £453m a week or £2bn a month, was revealed in a leaked 16-page policy document<\/strong> drawn up by Matt Hancock’s Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).<\/p>\n Live COVID news from UK and around the world<\/strong><\/p>\n The proposal, described as the department’s “preferred position”, follows research that suggested only 17% of people with COVID-19<\/strong> symptoms come forward to get a test because they fear losing their income if they stop working due to the requirement to self-isolate.<\/p>\n However, Number 10 on Friday denied that the government is planning a wide expansion of the current self-isolation support payment scheme.<\/p>\n At present, only those on a low income who cannot work from home and receive one of seven means-tested benefits are eligible to claim a £500 payment.<\/p>\n Asked about the proposal, the prime minister’s official spokesman told reporters: “There are no plans to introduce an extra £500 payment.<\/p>\n “We already offer a £500 payment to support those on low incomes who cannot work from home.<\/p>\n “We’ve given local authorities £70m for the scheme and they are able to provide extra payments on top of those £500 if they think it necessary.<\/p>\n “That £500 is on top of any other benefits and statutory sick pay that people are eligible for.”<\/p>\n Asked about the 16-page Department of Health and Social Care paper, the spokesman said he would not comment on leaked documents.<\/p>\n He added the “vast majority of the public continue to abide by the rules and do isolate when they are asked”.<\/p>\n Pressed on Cabinet Office data suggesting just 17% of people with COVID symptoms are coming forward for a test, the spokesman said: “I would point to the number of tests that are being conducted every day.<\/p>\n “You will see those figures are high and have been for some time.<\/p>\n “It remains the case that the vast majority of those who are symptomatic do get a (test), and again I would point to the stats that are published.<\/p>\n “We are testing more people than ever before.”<\/p>\n Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker<\/strong><\/p>\n Earlier on Friday, when asked about the DHSC proposal, cabinet minister George Eustice told Sky News “no decisions have been made on this”, but added: “This is a dynamic fast-moving situation with the pandemic.<\/p>\n “We’re always keeping multiple policies under review.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n