Finance

Chancellor reveals that the furlough scheme is costing around the same as the NHS

Perm sec Alex Chisholm said it was impossible to determine if the scheme would deliver value for money under Treasury guidance

Low Incomes Tax Reform Group applauds round-the-clock efforts of ‘invisible cohort’ of departmental staff

Union says sheer volume of new applicants amid coronavirus pandemic is ‘putting massive strain’ on workforce

Resolution Foundation calls on ministers to extend eligibility and encourage new claims as demand for support spikes

Matt Hancock issues instruction to ensure no “barrier or delay” to taking action in “extraordinary circumstances”

National Audit Office questions financial planning for keeping top institutions in good repair

Chancellor hints at changes to the way the self-employed are taxed once crisis is over to ensure “all pay in equally in future”

MPs told previous verbal and numeric testing regime was slashing candidate pool by half

Business and employee support schemes open for business this week

Online drive blamed for tens of thousands of potentially bogus requests, says National Audit Office

Current operators will run services under new ‘emergency measures agreements’

Ministers urged to introduce wage-guarantee scheme as data underscores lack of savings and reliance on credit

Steps to tackle ‘economic emergency’ let out in Downing Street press conference

Scandal-hit Renewable Heat Incentive scheme was “project too far” for Northern Ireland officials

Lack of action leading to a “year of wait and see”, warns rail industry

Staff told department will extend life of Bradford office by six years and keep Washington base open until 2030

NAO report says lower take up of free early years places in most deprived areas “risks increasing development gap”

Analysis of public spending figures indicates that much of announced spending increases will be taken up by existing policy plans

Civil service union claims victory as Sunak finds £2bn to tone down ‘tax trap’ that counts pension contributions as income

Move to be confirmed later today after PM chairs COBRA meeting

Treasury sets out areas of focus for review and pledges to lead the world in linking cash to outcomes

Budget will also set out details of measures to tackle coronavirus outbreak