Anger over tier 2 lockdown
Politicians and business leaders demand action to give city hope after setback
AUNION of Birmingham political and business leaders have appealed to Chancellor Rishi Sunak for a planned ‘way out’ of Tier 2 Covid restrictions to give hope to residents.
They have also asked for a package of support for hospitality firms devastated by this week’s new measures. “We need to know what needs to be done to exit the ‘high’ level category. We need to give our communities something to aim for and state it clearly,” says their letter.
“Our ambition is to leave the ‘high’ category as soon as possible and certainly before Christmas,” they add. The letter was sent on Tuesday from Birmingham’s Chamber of Commerce, the city council, MPs, peers, trades unions and Business Improvement Districts.
Birmingham City Council leader Cllr Ian Ward (pictured) said: “It has been an incredibly challenging time for the city over the last several months and without further support from Government it could well be a bleak winter.
This joint statement, signed by representatives from across the business community, MPs from all political parties, Trade Unions and the council shows the level of determination to protect people’s livelihoods.”
It comes amid a backlash from hospitality bosses about the new measures, which includes a ban on people from different households mixing in social settings.
The same rule also applies to other Tier 2 areas, including Solihull, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.
“This alone will have a devastating impact on an already fragile hospitality sector,” they write.
While acknowledging the Government is “making incredibly difficult decisions in unprecedented times” the signatories express frustration about the strategy used.
They say the Government did not take the evidence based approach, rooted in data and local expertise, they had recommended, because had that happened, restrictions affecting the hospitality sector would not have been introduced.
Their three requests are:
■ A review of restrictions within 14 days;
■ A package of financial support to sustain businesses through the winter;
■ A clear exit strategy, with timescales.
The letter concludes with an appeal to the Chancellor: “Prior to Covid-19, Birmingham was booming, with an economy second only to London in size at £31.9 billion. “Our tourism and hospitality sectors were worth £13 billion, employing close to
76,000 people.
“We want to work constructively with you to find solutions that protect people’s businesses, their jobs, their livelihoods and the communities in which they live from a significant spike in unemployment that could follow if action is not taken.
“We can limit the damage but only if we act decisively, and do so now. “The Birmingham that we know today owes much to the innovators and entrepreneurs of the 18th century, such as Matthew Boulton and James Watt, who helped to create jobs and sustain huge industries, firmly establishing the city on the global stage.
“We can assure you, that spirit of entrepreneurship is alive and well today and collectively we will do all that we can to keep the local economy going, but we urgently need your help.”
Paul Faulkner, chief executive officer of Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, said: “So much was invested in supporting businesses through the first wave of this virus through the furlough scheme, Bounce Back and Coronavirus Interruption Loans and more. We cannot let that go to waste and give up on the most impacted businesses at the time they need the support the most.”
Mayor Andy Street, a Conservative, has previously said the new rules are not supported locally, nor did they reflect extensive discussions held in the days leading up to the announcement.
“The main problem in the West Midlands remains transmission within household settings, and stricter measures for the hospitality industry will not solve that.”
The measures announced come as the region is ranked fourth worst for coronavirus infections, with a regional rate now topping 120 cases per 100,000 people.
Data shows that transmission is reaching more vulnerable and older people.
And with 24 people currently fighting to breathe in intensive care in Birmingham hospitals, and 150 more poorly on the wards with coronavirus, there is a compelling case emerging that more needs to be done to restrict infections. Virus hits older groups Political Correspondent