EMPLOYED people on low incomes in Barrow will be able to receive £500 in their bank accounts if told to isolate over Coronavirus fears.

Under the new scheme, the payments will be available for eligible individuals who have received notification from NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate, providing that their period of self-isolation started on or after 28 September 2020.

The Test and Trace Support Payment is available to those receiving Universal Credit; Working Tax Credit; Income-Based Employment and Support Allowance; Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance; Income Support; Housing Benefit; and/or Pension Credit.

Barrow Council will be responsible for administering the cash.

Applications must be made within 14 days of the end of a period of self-isolation and the scheme is available until January 31.

Barrow Council met to discuss the new timeline at its Executive Committee.

Councillor Lee Roberts, deputy leader of the council, said he saw extra pressure coming to the council to get payments out.

He said: “I can see that this is another very challenging thing for the council to set up a new department to do this, tailored to individual cases.

"This will bring extra pressure for a new department to get set up and get it right. I hope it encourages people to get tested and not to feel punished for getting a positive result and going back to work too early."

The BBC’s Andrew Marr Show highlighted Barrow as an example of a town taking its responsibility seriously in track and trace.

“We were made a good example of on national television for what we are doing here, let's all keep it up," said Cllr Roberts.