The RIBA welcomed chancellor Rishi Sunak’s £330bn package of support to help the UK economy deal with the covid-19 crisis, but has warned it does not go far enough.

Institute chief executive Alan Vallance said the aid boost – unveiled at today’s Downing Street briefing on the outbreak, and valued by Sunak at 15% of GDP – would not be sufficient to guarantee the survival of architecture’s smallest operators amid the rapidly escalating crisis.

“We welcome the government’s ‘unprecedented package’ of financial support during these unpredictable times, especially the extension of businesses eligible for loans,” he said.

“But more will be needed to support SMEs – most architecture practices – who are already feeling the pain of this pandemic.

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