Next chief executive Lord Wolfson has called on the government to introduce income support measures as employment is threatened by the coronavirus outbreak.

Wolfson welcomed the government’s financial programme so far in response to the pandemic, which includes a 12-month deferral of business rates for industries including retail.

However, he believed urgent action was needed to underpin income as downturns in sectors such as aviation and hotels, as well the need for people to self-isolate, bring the prospect of large-scale job losses and loss of earnings.

Wolfson said: “The decision on rates was hugely welcome. I think it will make an enormous difference to large employers. The one thing that remains that must be done is some form of income support for those who can’t work. Anything the government can do to underpin income, anything to keep people in employment, will make an enormous difference to the speed we recover from this pandemic.”

He feared that loss of income could create a domino effect across the economy, delaying a return to more normal levels of consumer demand. “I’m more bothered about income support than any tax break,” Wolfson said.

The Next boss was the latest business leader to raise the alert over employment in the last few days. Prime minister Boris Johnson has indicated that he will take notice of the appeals, and details of government plans may come as early as today.

In last night’s coronavirus briefing to the nation, which came after Wolfson’s plea, Johnson told businesses: “I hope you stick by your employees, because we’re all going to need them.”

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