MORE than 15,000 jobs in the city hang in the balance as unprecedented economic measures are announced to tackle coronavirus.

The Government has announced that it will pay up to 80 per cent of wages in a desperate plea to businesses to retain their staff.

Thousands of livelihoods across Brighton and Hove are in jeopardy due to social distancing measures, with people being urged to avoid clubs pubs and theatres in an attempt to stop the spread of Covid-19.

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“For the first time in our history the Government is going to step in and help pay people’s wages,” Chancellor Rishi Sunak said.

“The Government is doing its best to stand behind you and I am asking you to do your best to stand behind our workers.”

The scheme will be up and running by April 1 and will be backdated to the start of the crisis.

It will go on until whenever necessary, the Chancellor said.

The Argus:

However, despite the promise of a blank cheque, some businesses have already laid off entire workforces and are struggling to get by.

Syrus Shabini, manager of CH’s Barbers in Kemp Town, Brighton, was forced to let all his staff go after business dropped by 80 per cent.

He said: “If business does not pick up in two weeks there will be no food left to eat – forget about the business.

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“Everyday we are making just about enough money for the bills, yesterday we took nothing home.

“To be honest I have no hope, the Government needs to inject money now.

“We are broke.”

The Argus:

Syrus Shabini and Hamid Caram

The shop’s owner Hamid Caram, who suffers from a heart condition, is working in the shop fearing for his health.

But has to working to keep food on the table and his business of 15 years afloat.

Mr Shabini said: “I’m so scared, he will die if he gets the virus.

“Normally, he will be home for two weeks if he gets a cold, I don’t want him coming in as I fear for him. But he says ‘how am I going to get enough money to eat?’.”

The Government said it would cover 80 per cent of workers’ salaries up to £2,500 a month, defer VAT bills and increase welfare payments by £7 billion in an extraordinary package to fight coronavirus crisis.

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More than 1,800 Brighton businesses, who employ more than 15,000 people, are in a similar situation to CH’s Barbers.

That figure includes 260 pubs and bars, 90 hotels, and 755 restaurants, cafés, takeaways and mobile food stands.

About 12,000 people work in food and drink service activities, including 6,500 in restaurants and cafés and another 2,500 in pubs and bars.

A further 2,000 work in accommodation and about 1,500 are employed in creative arts and entertainment.

Their livelihoods were at put at risk when Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged people to avoid gatherings and crowded places.

As Mr Johnson upgraded the measures toinght by instructing the pubs to close, the unprecedented economic measures were announced to protect the nation’s jobs.

There are signs this is already working.

This afternoon publican Peter Waters from the Market Inn in The Lanes, Brighton, thought he would have to lay off staff in a bid to deal with the crisis.

However, following the announcement a relieved pub boss said he expects them to stay.

The Argus:

The Market Inn boss Peter Waters

He said: “There is clarity finally. I think this will be a good thing, they have done something and they have backed it up financially.”

Speaking as his pub was about to call last orders, he said: “We are giving away free fruit and veg outside.

“I do wonder what is going to happen when we reopen again in three months or whenever. Will people come back like before?”

Supermarket chains including the Co-op, Tesco and Asda are offering jobs in a huge recruitment drive aimed at providing the nation with groceries.

The Co-op is creating 5,000 store-based jobs nationally in a bid to provide temporary employment to those put out of work by coronavirus.

A sign in the window of the Co-op at Seven Dials reads: “We are urgently recruiting new colleagues in this store.

“Co-op is committed to supporting communities through this difficult time, and we need temporary staff.”

Other supermarkets are looking for staff as they expands home delivery.

Morrisons is creating 3,500 jobs nationally to meet the demand.

The Government is pumping almost £7 billion into the welfare system to protect people’s incomes during the coronavirus pandemic, the Chancellor announced.

The Universal Credit standard allowance will be increased by £1,000 a year for the next 12 months, while the working tax credit basic element will be boosted by the same amount.

The measures to strengthen the welfare system will benefit more than four million of the most vulnerable households.

But he warned: “I cannot promise you that no one will face hardship in the weeks ahead.”