High street businesses are facing another month of uncertainty after Boris Johnson warned lockdown measures will not be eased until at least March 8.
In a warning to MPs, the Prime Minister said restrictions will not be revised until the end of February, as the UK grapples with at least one new mutant strain and further border closures.
It comes as the deadline looms for self-employed workers to claim the third Covid grant, with the Chancellor set to explain the eligibility terms for the fourth during his Budget on March 3.
Furlough, meanwhile, continues to run until March 31, after tens of thousands of businesses were ordered to shut their doors on January 5.
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