The government has announced increased support for businesses and individuals affected by local lockdowns 

However, housing charities have argued that these many not be sufficient to help those living in rental accommodation meet their housing fees.

This could potentially have a knock-on effect on the buy-to-let sector.

Speaking in the House of Commons today, chancellor Rishi Sunak announced he would be extending the Jobs Support Scheme. 

This includes businesses which can open but have witnessed a fall in demand. To qualify for the support employees now have to work just 20 per cent of their normal hours, rather than 33 per cent.

For these unworked hours they will now get 67 per cent of their pay, with the employer’s contributions also being reduced.

Alongside this scheme, Sunak also said he would help “open but struggling businesses” operating in areas under tier 1 and 2 coronavirus restrictions, and pledged to increase the government’s financial support to employers forced to close in tier 3 areas.

However, while these additional measures have been broadly welcomed, Generation Rent deputy director Dan Wilson Craw suggests that there could still be widespread problems for people in the rental sector. 

“This welcome new support will help sustain more jobs, but affected workers’ incomes could fall to 74 per cent – or 67 per cent if their workplace closes. That means these workers will rely more on Universal Credit, which is nowhere near enough to cover average rents.”

He said: “The chancellor had missed an opportunity today to raise Local Housing Allowance and allay the fears of thousands of people that they’ll get into debt or face eviction. These renters will now face some impossible choices as Christmas approaches.”