READERS have reacted to reports that the Government is considering paying out £500 to every person forced to self-isolated due to Covid-19.

The proposal is said to be the 'preferred position' of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), according to a leaked sensitive document seen by The Guardian newspaper.

The Government denied yesterday that there were any plans to bring in the payments.

There are fears the current financial support is not working because low paid workers cannot afford to self-isolate.

Lynnsey Anne Willcox said: "I fear this would be an incentive to catch Covid. Ridiculous idea."

Greg Rose said: "What's the solution then for those working who need to isolate with no income?

Lynnsey Anne Willcox said in reply: "Greg Rose, I do think there needs to be support for these individuals as it must be so difficult but I fear it is a slippery slope to the groups of people who would use it as an incentive."

Joanne Callister said: "It should be there for self employed people or those who don't get full sick pay but not automatically for every single person as that may do more harm than good."

Nikita Mattel said: "I hope this only applies to people to are actually working at the time they test positive and need to take two weeks off and maybe lose two weeks wages. Not the people on benefits whose income isn't affected by being at home for two weeks or the people already on furlough who are off already on 80 per cent pay and whose income it doesn't affect. There are enough people slipping through the net who cant get any help at all like the beauticians/hairdressers etc so to pay £500 to people already getting free money off the Government or for people who will still get their furlough pay both of whom are off work anyway would be nothing short of an insult."