Boris Johnson is a surprise visitor to Northamptonshire Police HQ on Thursday morning

PM drops in to discuss policing during the Covid-19 pandemic
The Prime Minister chats with  PC Charlotte Jones during his visit to Northants Police HQThe Prime Minister chats with  PC Charlotte Jones during his visit to Northants Police HQ
The Prime Minister chats with PC Charlotte Jones during his visit to Northants Police HQ

Boris Johnson made a surprise visit to Northamptonshire Police HQ on Thursday.

While Chancellor Rishi Sunak was making his big announcement in the Commons, the Prime Minister dropped in at Wootton Hall Park to discuss policing during Covid-19 and to meet some of the Force's newest recruits.

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He emphasised the need for enforcement of the latest restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus.

He said: ""The really important thing is that everybody follows the guidance we have set out and that is why I am here today in Northamptonshire talking to the police about what they are doing to underpin and to support the enforcement of those rules.

"I know that people think it is a great package of new rules to compress the virus but will it be enforced? My message is yes it will be enforced and there will be some serious fines for people who do not comply."

No Press were invited apart from one to conduct an interview to be shared between TV and radio networks.

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Chancellor Sunak's Job Support Scheme will replace the furlough scheme which ends next month.

The PM chats with PC James HarrisThe PM chats with PC James Harris
The PM chats with PC James Harris

Wage subsidies form part of a package of new measures to support the economy through the latest phase of the COVID-19 crisis, topping-up pay of those working at least a third of their normal hours and who are in a "viable" job.

The chancellor told MPs the Scheme will cover two-thirds of the pay lost, with employers paying for actual hours worked.

A VAT cut to 5 per cent for hospitality and tourism extended until the end of March.

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The furlough scheme, which is wound up at the end of next month, has already cost the taxpayer almost £40billion to date while Treasury-backed business loans of £57billion have been handed out.

Boris Johnson managed to avoid the heavy rain as he was shown around Wootton Hall Park by Deputy Chief Constable Simon Nickless and PC Merb Hussain.Boris Johnson managed to avoid the heavy rain as he was shown around Wootton Hall Park by Deputy Chief Constable Simon Nickless and PC Merb Hussain.
Boris Johnson managed to avoid the heavy rain as he was shown around Wootton Hall Park by Deputy Chief Constable Simon Nickless and PC Merb Hussain.

The Chancellor told the Commons: "The government will directly support the wages of people in work, giving businesses who face depressed demand the option of keeping employees in a job on shorter hours rather than making them redundant."