Yes it's an old news item, but I stumbled across it recently and was reminded of the ludicrous nature of the statement.  I'm sure there's more to it than would seem but the good old media have spun it in such a way as to make it sound moronic.

Taken at face value, it's utter fucking nonsense.

UK to offer £500 to anyone testing positive for covid19  in an effort to encourage them to follow the self isolation rules (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/test-and-trace-support-payment-scheme-claiming-financial-support/claiming-financial-support-under-the-test-and-trace-support-payment-scheme).  All this will do is cause those sad money grabbing/desperate for money idiots among us to actually go out of their way to try to get covid19 just that they can claim £500 - total madness. Only a complete buffoon would both come up with such a stupid idea and then think that it is a good idea and actually be seriously considering it.