Dorset Chamber and British Chambers of Commerce call for evidence and clarity for businesses as government mulls post-December 2nd Coronavirus restrictions in England
The British Chambers of Commerce has called on the UK government to publish its approach to national Coronavirus restrictions in England without delay, providing firms with:
- at least one week’s notice ahead of December 2nd;
- scientific evidence for any continuing restrictions on specific business sectors; and
- an economic impact assessment of the impact of continued business restrictions and closures on communities and the wider economy.
With the second national lockdown in England due to end on 2 December, the leading business organisation – which collectively represents over 70,000 firms of all sizes and sectors across the UK employing six million people – is concerned about the lack of clarity over what form restrictions will take after the current lockdown.
BCC has called for government to publish its plans with at least one week’s notice before restrictions are set to end on 2 December, allowing firms adequate time to prepare to re-open and trade afterwards.
The group is also pressing government to explain clearly why businesses in a number of sectors have been forced to close despite taking considerable steps at huge expense to comply with Covid-secure guidance, including leisure, non-essential retail and beauty.
It has submitted a Freedom of Information Request to the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to determine what evidence base, if any, was used to inform government guidance on the closure of businesses in England from November 5. This clarity is essential for businesses and government to work together on steps that avoid the need for business closures in future.
The call follows the BCC’s challenge to the Prime Minister to meet five business tests to limit the impact of Coronavirus restrictions on businesses and jobs and take a long-term approach to tackling the pandemic.
BCC Director General Adam Marshall said:
“Nine months into the pandemic, business communities are still crying out for timely information and a clear strategy from government so that they can survive and rebuild.
“Delays and imprecision mean people lose their livelihoods. Firms are taking difficult decisions every day about their futures, and are tired of being left to rely on speculation and rumour. The government must urgently set out the exit plan for the end of national restrictions in England on 2nd December – and make it crystal-clear which businesses can operate, and under what conditions.
“Businesses have played their part by working hard and spending hundreds of millions of pounds to become Covid-secure, in line with official guidance. We must see the evidence for why many were forced to close again on 5th November, and absolute transparency on what may happen from 2nd December.
“Business communities – whether in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland – cannot take another year of rushed stop-start restrictions from governments while vaccines are rolled out. Broad-based workplace testing would help bridge the gap, maintaining employee confidence and helping as many businesses as possible remain open and trading at this crucial time.”
Dorset Chamber Chief Executive Ian Girling added:
“The Government owe businesses the proper time and guidance as we approach the end of this second lockdown. Businesses that have been mandated to close need to know they will be able to re-open and we also see complete confusion with what is essential and what isn’t in terms of retail – with many businesses rightly feeling penalised by the Government. Responsible business owners have taken every step to follow Government guidance – they deserve better treatment and need clarity on the situation post 2nd December. We also need to bear in mind this is the busiest time of year for many businesses, making this issue even more critical.”
Dorset Chamber is one of 53 accredited Chambers across the UK and plays a role in influsing central and local Government policy. For more information on how to engage with Dorset Chamber see: www.dorsetchamber.co.uk/join