‘Times are tough but we have harder times ahead of us’ with coronavirus

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The UK government has warned that things are going to get yet more difficult in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking during the daily Downing Street press conference, Business Secretary Alok Sharma told the nation that ‘times are tough but we have harder times ahead of us’ as more lives are lost.

He said: ‘The coronavirus pandemic is the biggest threat our country has faced in decades.

‘And we are not alone. All over the world we are seeing the devastating impact of this invisible killer.’

‘It is crucial that when we overcome this crisis, as in time we will, that businesses are in a good position to move forward,’ he added.

‘Times are tough and we have harder times ahead of us. But I know that together we will pull through’.

Mr Sharma said local authorities have today received more than £12 billion in grants for small businesses and urged them to pay it out ‘as quickly as possible’.

‘This afternoon I held a call with hundreds of local authorities across England and made clear this money must reach businesses as quickly as possible,’ he said.

‘I know businesses across England have already started to receive these grants.’

Mr Sharma added: ‘We recognise the extreme disruption the necessary actions we are asking people to take are having on their lives, their businesses, their jobs, and the nation’s economy.

‘And, I want to thank everyone across our whole country for the huge effort that is being made collectively.’

This is a breaking news story, more to follow…