The centre-right CPS think tank today produced a more up-to-date assessment, saying the total could be £301bn.
It said the cost of the support schemes themselves could add £127bn on to borrowing, with £119bn lost due to lower tax receipts and higher welfare payments. However, the CPS cautioned that any predictions in the current climate are deeply uncertain.
Top 10 biggest government programmes
| Scheme | Cost in 2020-21 |
| Coronavirus job retention scheme | £42bn |
| Small business grant schemes | £15bn |
| NHS historical debt write-off | £13bn |
| Self-employment income support scheme | £10bn |
| Welfare | £7bn |
| NHS emergency response funding | £6.6bn |
| Coronavirus business interruption loan scheme | £6bn |
| Rail emergency measures | £3.5bn |
| Local authority funding | £3.2bn |
| Devolved administration public service funding | £2bn |
Data compiled by CPS from OBR and other sources
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Date Added: Tuesday 21st April 2020
