Like the French government the day before, the United Kingdom also knew its moment "Whatever it takes", Tuesday, March 17, as the coronavirus epidemic continued to progress in the country – the latest toll of which is 1,950 official infections and 69 dead. "I promise you, we will do whatever it takes to support the national economy. We have never experienced such a situation in peacetime. This is no longer the time for ideology or orthodoxy, we must have courage, we will support jobs, incomes and businesses. Whatever the price "said the chancellor of the chessboard Rishi Sunak, from Downing Street.
The British state will therefore guarantee "£ 330 billion in loans" to support companies in difficulty, suddenly lacking in liquidity. "This represents 15% of our gross domestic product", said Sunak, 39, a very assertive voice as he has only held this crucial position since mid-February. Households having difficulty repaying their loans can suspend their repayments to banks for three months. Restaurateurs and other struggling traders should have access to grants of up to £ 25,000.
"The enemy is deadly, but we know how to fight it"
“All the national institutions are going to be under great pressure. To overcome it, we will need a combination of economic support, lessons from other countries, research efforts, support for our NHS (the British hospital). The enemy is deadly, but we know how to fight it and we have the resources to win this fight "added Boris Johnson, the Conservative Prime Minister, who also attended the press conference that Downing Street has committed to holding daily. Tuesday, it still took place in the physical presence of journalists.
"Companies must be able to access this cash as quickly as possible", said on the BBC set Adam Marshall, the director general of the British Chamber of Commerce. Government announcements are a very consistent response to the crisis caused by the coronavirus epidemic, after several days of confusing communication.
Until last weekend, the Johnson government refused to take the drastic containment measures gradually adopted by other European countries, hoping to succeed in creating collective immunity in the population, in order to slow the peak of the epidemic. But Downing Street brutally revised its strategy on Monday March 16 and "Recommended" the British to stop going to pubs, restaurants, theaters, and to move around only when necessary.
